GOLD Omotayo was told to go and become a hero by Bury boss Ryan Lowe and he did just that to hand the Shakers three points to start the season against nine-man Yeovil.

The 24-year-old Swiss player arrived at Gigg Lane this summer and was sent on with 15 minutes to go in his league debut with the scores level.

By that stage the Glovers were down to nine men, with Tom James and Jordan Green sent off, and Bury took advantage a minute from time with Omotayo heading home the winner, much to Lowe’s delight.

He said: “I said to Gold, go and get your first professional goal and he’s done that. He’s a handful, though he’s got a lot to learn, but I knew what he’d give us and he’s going to be a fans’ hero by the look of it.

“I’ll sleep tonight. Of course it’s important to start with a win. We’re not going to get carried away, we’re happy – first home game, new players, new era, new Bury FC team. We’ll enjoy it but the work continues, we’ve another 45 to go.”

Chances were few in the first half as both sides lacked sharpness – the best falling to returning Bury winger Nicky Adams who blazed over when a long throw-in dropped kindly in the area on 17 minutes.

Yeovil started brightest after the break and Joe Murphy had to be at his best on 50 minutes when Francois Zoko’s shot deflected wickedly and looped towards the far corner.

Two minutes later, Yoann Arquin cut inside onto his right foot and curled towards the top corner but his shot deflected just enough to drop over.

James was dismissed on 54 minutes, however, when – already booked for a high, late foul on Danny Mayor at the end of the first half – he scythed down the same player and was duly sent off.

Green followed him down the tunnel on 66 minutes, receiving a straight red card for a dangerous lunge on Neil Danns, which incensed the Bury players.

Despite the two-man advantage, Bury had to be patient, but Omotayo snatched victory in the 89th minute, nodding in from close-range after Will Aimson’s header back across goal to spark wild celebrations.

Line-ups Bury: (5-4-1): Murphy 7, Miller 6 (Moore 65 7), Aimson 5, Thompson 7, O’Connell 8, Stokes 6 (Telford 72 6), Adams 5, Styles 6, Danns 7, Mayor 6, Dagnall 6 (Omotayo 76 7).

Subs not used: Hudson, Dawson, McFadzean, Bunn.

Yeovil Town: (4-4-2): Baxter, James, Donnellan, Mugabi, Dickinson, Green, Santos, D’Almeida, Arquin (Fisher 81), Zoko (Cole 70), Jaiyesimi (Warren 55).

Subs not used: Phillips, Fisher, Rogers, Henry, McDonald.

Attendance: 3,151.

Referee: Dean Whitestone.