BURY chairman Stewart Day pledged to donate all of the gate receipts of tonight’s pre-season friendly against Sunderland to Bradley Lowery’s charity as both sets of fans came together to pay their respects to the brave youngster.

The game played second fiddle on a day when young Sunderland supporter Bradley sadly lost his battle against neuroblastoma – a rare form of cancer.

An impeccable one-minute applause from all 2,110 spectators inside Gigg Lane took place before the game and again on the sixth minute, the age the young fan passed away.

His strength and courage has been an inspiration to many, and images of the youngster were shown on the big screen throughout the match.

When the game did get underway, Bury stormed into a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Andrew Tutte and Callum Reilly before losing 3-2.

James Vaughan and Jermaine Beckford’s strike partnership took just 30 seconds to spark into life – the latter playing the former through on goal before he was brought down.

Being a friendly, referee Darren Handley awarded just a free-kick, which Vaughan smashed straight into the wall.

Bury’s defence looked strong and the midfield energetic, and after a couple of scares from Jack Rodwell and Reece Greenwood, the Shakers burst into life.

Tutte picked out the top corner with aplomb after neat work from Beckford in the box, opening the scoring in the 20th minute.

Winger Zeli Ismail, returning from injury to play his first match in eight months, used his blistering pace to break the lines but dragged his shot narrowly wide.

Callum Reilly doubled the lead, finishing off a well-worked team goal. Neat, two-touch passing turned defence into attack and ended with the former Burton midfielder checking the last defender and clinically finding the net.

Bury keeper Joe Murphy made a fine save down to his left to keep out Rodwell’s stinging volley on the half-hour mark.

But the shot stopper knew less about Luke Molyneux’s deflected shot, which bounced off his body and on to the crossbar.

Rodwell’s persistence paid off when he stabbed home a corner shortly before the break.

Bury boss Lee Clark made 11 changes at half-time but his side continued to hold their own against the Championship opposition, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

However, late in the game Josh Maja bagged a brace to stun the Shakers and ensure they kicked off pre-season with a loss – but there were plenty of positives for Clark to ponder.

The Shakers also handed ex-Wigan youth-team player Chris Sang a late cameo, and the Bury Times understands the wide midfielder has signed for the club on a two-year deal.

Bury first half (4-4-2): Murphy; Edwards, Aldred, O’Connell, Skarz; Ismail, Tutte, Reilly, Dai; Vaughan, Beckford.

Bury second half (4-4-2): Letheren; Jones, Shotton, Thompson, Leigh; Humphrey (Sang 82), Dawson, Styles, O’Shea; Heardman, Miller.

Attendance: 2,110 (724 visiting).