TORRENTIAL rain inevitably made it difficult for both teams but some superb attacking football and a resolute defensive display from Bury GSOB gave them a much deserved 3-1 victory at home to Horwich St Mary's Victoria.

Bury restricted Horwich to just a handful of half-chances and showed a good deal of attacking prowess, particularly down both flanks, to cause the Horwich defence all kinds of problems.

Chris Lloyd opened the scoring for the Old Boys from two yards out after the Horwich goalkeeper made a mess of a cross and dropped the ball at his feet.

Liam Donnelly continued his rich vein of goalscoring form to double the lead, side-footing home from inside the Horwich area after a deflected shot landed perfectly into his path.

Horwich offered a bit more attacking threat in the second half but it became progressively more difficult to play flowing football as conditions worsened and the ball started to hold up on the sodden surface.

Bury were able to absorb the increased pressure and hit Horwich on the counter.

But after the Old Boys failed to kill off the game when Terry Jepson dragged a shot agonisingly wide, the visitors took advantage to halve the deficit.

Even at 2-1, Bury continued to look the more threatening and got their just rewards with 10 minutes remaining when Steven Wood fired hard and low into the bottom corner from 20 yards out, giving the Horwich keeper no chance.