The scoreline didn’t spoil the party as Bury fans celebrated their long-awaited return to Gigg Lane against Bradford.

It was the Shakers’ first game there since May 2019 and the past few years have been tough for supporters.

Bradford ran out 6-0 winners on the day but it didn’t dampen the mood among those who managed to get a ticket in the home section.

The visitors took an early lead through Alex Pattison, who found the bottom corner with a clinical strike from the edge of the box.

Benito Lowe then sent an effort over the bar after some neat build-up play with Darius Palma.

Andy Cook doubled Bradford’s lead moments later, finding the top corner with a superb volley that sailed over the helpless Jack Atkinson.

Cook could have had a second following a dangerous attack down the left wing, but his header crept wide of the post.

Matthew Platt then had the ball in the net after Bury were undone by Ash Taylor’s long throw-in, but referee Andy Malley spotted a foul in the build-up.

Emmanuel Osadebe added a third, finding a pocket of space in the Bury box and providing a ruthless first-time finish.

Within a minute of the restart, Liam Ridehalgh made it four. Atkinson had initially made a smart stop from a tight angle but Ridehalgh managed to find the empty net from outside the area.

At the other end, Gaz Peet felt he was shoved in the back but his penalty appeals were waved away by the officials.

The Shakers also had a goal chalked off on the stroke of half time. Lowe kept his cool to beat the onrushing goalkeeper, but the flag had already gone up for an offside.

After the break, former Blackburn man Matt Derbyshire added a fifth with an emphatic finish after he was played in by Jamie Walker. Bury wanted an offside but the goal stood.

Lowe tried a couple of efforts from distance at the other end but saw his strikes sail over the bar on both occasions.

Atkinson then made another good stop to deny Walker after the Bradford man had done well to avoid a couple of challenges and break into the box.

Ryan East also tried his luck with a clever free-kick but the Bury shot stopper managed to parry it round the post.

The hosts kept searching for a goal as the second half went on, with a trialist getting into a promising area on the left flank before his cross somehow evaded everyone.

Bradford wrapped up the result in the final stages, with Walker slamming home from close range after a slick counter-attack.