BURY'S recent form will have many Shakers’ fans adjusting their season expectations, but manager Ryan Lowe is delighted with how his side are keeping grounded despite their rise up the league.

Lowe’s men have been flying of late, and added to their good form by overpowering free-falling Exeter City 2-0 at Gigg Lane.

Goals from Jay O’Shea and Byron Moore did the damage as the Shakers ended the day fourth in League Two, just two adrift of Colchester in the final automatic promotion spot.

And with victory over the Grecians coming in tricky conditions, Lowe insists his troops resolutely sticking to their tactics gave him the most reason to cheer.

“I’m over the moon with that,” Lowe said. “We were never going to come off our game plan and get carried away with our form.

“We’ve still got a long way to go and there’s more matches to win, so I want us to keep putting performances in.

“The pitch was wet, but it was brilliant considering the downpour we had.

“We played our way, did the right things and made sure we weren’t sloppy.

“As long as the lads stick to the game plan, then we’re more than happy we’ll get results. We got another good one today.

“I’m pleased that we’ve only won 2-0 to be honest because expectations are probably going to go through the roof.

“If it had been 1-0 then I would have probably had a few pints tonight, I’d have been happier with a 1-0 rather than 2-0.

Bury were on top from early on – as early as the third minute – as O’Shea, the League Two Player of the Month for November, had a goalbound free-kick deflected wide for a corner.

And the hosts went close to opening the scoring when Callum McFadzean forced two smart saves from keeper Christy Pym.

But the pressure eventually told and McFadzean’s square ball fell perfectly for O’Shea as he lashed home for his seventh goal of the season.

Chris Stokes conceded a needless penalty on 52 minutes when he fouled Jayden Stockley, but Bury keeper Joe Murphy did brilliantly to save Stockley’s effort, diving low to his left.

To rub salt into the wound, Moore pounced with 15 minutes remaining with a cool finish to secure the points.

Lowe admitted the penalty going in would have changed the game, and revealed Murphy’s save was a result of diligent work on the training ground rather than a lucky guess on the day.

“I’m over the moon with three points whatever the scoreline, but it could have been different if they’d have scored the penalty. Credit to Murph for a great save.

“We do our homework on penalties, we don’t just sit back and drink tea every day.

“The save has given us that little bit of desire to go and get the next goal.

“Credit to them because they came out in the second half and gave it a real go, but I’m pleased with the overall performance.”