THINGS may have been touch and go in the week, but in the end Ryan Lowe was thrilled Danny Mayor was in place to leave Grimsby pig sick.

The 27-year-old winger had been a doubt for the Shakers’ clash with Grimsby at Gigg Lane through illness but he smashed through that fitness barrier and scored two goals as Lowe’s troops put the Mariners through the wringer with a 4-0 hammering.

Mayor, who has been involved in at least one goal in his last three league games, led the way for Bury, who also had Will Aimson and Chris Dagnall on target – but there was no doubting the star of the show.

“Danny had been suffering during the week. There had been a bit of a bug going around,” said Shakers chief Lowe.

“He just wants to play, though – that’s just the kind of lad he is.

“We know he’s capable of those wonder goals, so I’m delighted for him.

“Danny has had his injury problems over the years but he’s clearly a quality player and he can make exciting things happen.

“He just wants to play all the time and that’s great to see for me.”

The Mariners did create the first half chance of the game, with Mitch Rose floating in a cross for Jordan Cook, but the Grimsby midfielder just could not stretch enough to make contact.

There was then an early blow for the Shakers as loanee Caolan Lavery was forced off after only eight minutes with a painful-looking shoulder injury in what was his first league start for the club.

Jay O’Shea fired in a shot which keeper James McKeown saved routinely but the hosts were not to be denied after 14 minutes.

Mayor broke the deadlock with a splendid individual effort. He waltzed past two Grimsby defenders before slotting home his second goal of the season low into the corner.

Grimsby almost levelled immediately as full-back Harry Davis planted a precise downward header towards goal but Bury keeper Joe Murphy palmed the ball away superbly.

Murphy was brilliant again as he thwarted Cook in a one-on-one situation.

The Shakers punished Grimsby with a second goal after 34 minutes. This time, Nicky Adams’ corner was headed home powerfully by unmarked defender Aimson.

In the second period, O’Shea's side-footed effort was blocked by Danny Collins before Bury charged clear, Chris Dagnall’s effort bouncing off the post and in off Collins.

Mayor then notched another beauty, curling home from 20 yards, Bury’s star man receiving a huge ovation from Shakers fans when he was replaced by Neil Danns in the closing stages.

Lowe, who returned to the dugout after being banned for the last two games due to his reaction to anti-doping officials attending a training session in February, added: “Fair play to the lads. They’ve taken on board everything I’ve told them this week, and when you see it come off like that it’s very pleasing.

“That’s six points from the last couple of Saturdays but we certainly won’t be getting carried away.

“We want to make this place something of a fortress this season – that’s what everyone in the dressing room is after.”