TEN-MAN Bury were thumped by Crewe following a woeful performance at Gresty Road.

Shaun Miller swept the Railwaymen into a third-minute lead after punishing a Efe Sodje mistake.

Dave Artell then doubled Crewe’s leader on 18 minutes when he rose unchallenged to head home Ashley Westwood’s corner.

It would have been a lot worse but for a succession of superb saves from Cameron Belford as Crewe threatened to run riot in a one-sided first half.

Shakers captain Steven Schumacher, a summer signing from the Railwaymen, was sent off for a second yellow card on 62 minutes on his return to his former club.

Luke Murphy completed Alan Knill's side's misery when he crashed home an unstoppable third on 71 minutes before the outstanding Belford saved Clayton Donaldson’s penalty after Joe Skarz had tripped sub Nick Powell.

Crewe: Taylor, Tootle (Mitchel-King 69), Blanchett, Westwood, Artell, Ada, Donaldson, Murphy, Zola (Powell 69), Miller (Moore 86), Bell. Subs not used: Fogler, Grant, Shelley, Dugdale

Booked: None

Bury: Belford, Picken, Skarz, Lees, Sweeney, Schumacher, Bishop (Carlton 84), Haworth (Mozika 69), Jones (Worrall 78), Lowe, Sodje. Subs not used: Futcher, John-Lewis, Bennett, Branagan

Booked: Schumacher, Picken. Sent off: Schumacher

Referee: J Waugh. Attendance: 4,030 (687 Bury fans)