AN Antony Kay own-goal proved decisive as Bury suffered a 2-1 defeat at Gillingham.

Ryan Jackson opened the scoring for the Gills at the Priestfield Stadium.

And the goalscorer had a hand in the home side's second as his cross hit Kay and deflected past the helpless Ben Williams in the Shakers' goal.

Tom Pope scored his second is as many games to pull one back for Bury, but they failed to find the elusive equaliser.

David Flitcroft named an unchanged side from the outstanding opening-day victory against Charlton, but 16-year-old defender Jacob Bedeau replaced striker Chris Brown on the substitutes bench.

Bury made a nightmare start to the game, falling behind inside five minutes when marauding right-back Jackson eased past Nicky Clark to slot past Williams from close range.

As the Shakers searched for an equaliser Neil Danns stung the palms of Gillingham goalkeeper Stuart Nelson with a 25-yard free-kick.

But it should have been the Gills who doubled their lead when Jackson cut the ball back to Josh Wright six yards out, but Nathan Cameron recovered to make a goal-saving tackle.

On the stroke of half time, Deji Oshilaja crashed a header against the crossbar for the hosts before Wright sent a spectacular volley towards the bottom corner that was kept out by a stunning fingertip save from Williams.

Pope could have sent the Shakers into the break level after he stole the ball in the penalty area, but the forward shot straight at Nelson.

In the search for an equaliser, Flitcroft sent on Danny Mayor and Zeli Ismail in place of Hallam Hope and Clark.

The switch added a greater threat to the Bury attack but they fell further behind on the 57th minute as Kay turned Jackson's low cross from the right into his own net.

Pope pulled one back in the 67th minute with a fine header after Tom Soares picked out the target man with a pin-point cross from the right.

Gillingham seemed content with their one-goal advantage and controlled the latter stages, seeing out the six minutes of added time comfortably to wrap up the three points and inflict Bury's first defeat of the League One season.