BURY will go into the new year still in search of their first win of the Lancashire (North) campaign after falling to their 12th straight defeat on Saturday.

They returned to action at home to third-placed Burnley, following an enforced two-week break due to the bad weather, sporting a new shirt sponsor and a new player.

But they were not quite able to hit a winning note despite the support of live music venue Monkey House and the arrival of New Zealand centre Tai Tupou.

Still, a narrow 25-17 defeat against a side who they lost heavily to earlier in the season signalled an upturn in performance, with the promise of better to come in 2016.

Burnley raced into an early eight-point lead through a penalty kick and a push over try from the scrum.

Yet after sustaining a large period of pressure and following some crunching tackles from the returning Ben Holland, Bury eventually came to life.

The Rams began to make inroads into the Burnley defence and soon reduced the visitors' lead to a point with a converted try from some great interlinking play, finished off by winger Alex English under the posts.

Burnley replied with another penalty to go into the break 11-7 ahead.

Bury wiped out that lead with another flowing move at the start of the second half that featured a sublime ball from winger Dom Bennett to put in flanker Chris Potts for the score on the right.

Again the conversion was put over with ease by Tom Smith.

Indiscipline at the ruck allowed the visitors in to score another try and level the scores with 20 minutes remaining.

Following more positive play, possession and territory, Bury regained their lead with a penalty from full-back Luke Cleary.

But Burnley showed their class in the closing stages as they responded with another try and two penalties to dash the home side's hopes of what would have been a deserved victory.

Bury go into the festive break second-bottom of the table on two points, with the prospect of a trip to unbeaten leaders Trafford MV awaiting them when they return to action on January 9, kick off 2.15pm.