MAN of the moment James Vaughan is being backed to continue banging in the goals following a dream start to life at Gigg Lane.

The striker scored twice as the Shakers cruised to victory at home to Port Vale on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who now has three goals in two games, made easy pickings of the Valiants defence and came close to a hat-trick when heading into the side netting towards the end of the first half.

However, Bury boss David Flitcroft is cautious regarding the fitness of his new star striker after he withdrew the forward from action when he was hunting his third of the game.

"James Vaughan was fantastic,” Flitcroft said. “He wanted a third goal but I'm not interested in the hat-trick. He's had his injury problems so we have got to look after him.

“It was dragging on a heavy pitch and that's when fatigue and injuries set in so we had the luxury of being goals in front. James will get his 20-plus goals, there is no doubt about that, but I can't allow him to pick up an injury.

“The guy is all action. He is so robust, so dynamic. I have got to ease him off at times because his injury record is there.

“I want him to play as many games as he can for us this season so we have to look after him."

Vaughan's double on his Gigg Lane debut came either side of a stunning Jacob Mellis strike as Bury raced into a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes.

Nathan Smith pulled one back for the visitors on the hour mark, but second-half substitute Hallam Hope sealed the win with a deflected goal 17 minutes from time.

Bury's attacking intent was clear to see from the first whistle and Flitcroft was delighted with the amount of chances his side created.

“I thought the display was exhilarating,” Flitcroft said. “It was a very strong performance, full of physical endeavour and we looked potent.

“We had more than 20 efforts at goal and the players were implementing the things we wanted them to. 

"They were outstanding to a man and the subs did really well.

“It's not a long pass, it's not a short pass – it's the right pass. Fantastic players make the best decisions and the players have taken that on board.

“We can swing the play both ways with (wingers) Zeli Ismail on one side and Danny Mayor on the other.

"We can really move the ball across the pitch because both of them are very threatening on either flank.”

Hope scored his first goal for Bury in more than a year after spending the majority of last season on loan at League Two side Carlisle United.

But Flitcroft says the 22-year-old's hard work on the training ground is beginning to pay dividends, even though he tried to wind up the youngster with some light-hearted banter after the game.

“I said to him afterwards 'I think they have put it down as an own goal,' and he's looked at me like I've got three heads,” Flitcroft joked.

“He's buzzing in there.

“The fans, they want Hallam to score. He has not missed a day of training and I was delighted for him.”

The heavy rainfall left standing water on the pitch before kick off, but the conditions worked in Bury's favour for the opening goal.

Tom Pope intercepted a backpass that got stuck in a puddle, before feeding Vaughan to score in only the sixth minute.

Flitcroft claimed the conditions were more of a hindrance to his team's work off the ball, but admitted he banned his players from passing the ball back to goalkeeper Ben Williams to avoid any similar mistakes.

He said: “I banned the team from making a backpass. We did one in the game but we had to play to the conditions.

“You don't take those risks because you are there to win a football match.

"A wet pitch doesn't stop you running out of possession and the goals were on a different level.”

Match ratings

Bury (4-4-2): Williams 8; Maher 8 (Bryan 71, 6), Barnett 8, Kay 8, Leigh 8; Ismail 8, Soares 8, Mellis 9, Mayor 9; Pope 8 (Hope 52, 7), Vaughan 9 (Walker 79, 7). Not used: Rachubka, Obi, Burgess, Dudley.

Port Vale (4-4-1-1): Alnwick; Purkiss, Streete, Smith, Knops; Jones (Shalaj 46), Amoros, De Freitas (Paterson 15), Thomas; Foley; Forrester (Cicillia 50). Not used: MacIntosch, Tavares, Pereira, Boot.

Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).