Getting jiggy at Gigg Lane

SMILES ALL ROUND . . . Ryan Flynn (left) and Paul Green show their delight after Athletic take the lead at Gigg Lane

IT WASN'T as emphatic as it should have been and the churlish might quip that Athletic still haven't managed to score a league goal of their own.

Anyone at Gigg Lane in the bouncing away end can't fail to have enjoyed this one, though.

Twenty years in the same division invites weathered cynicism, but this Athletic squad has some steel to it that fans can identify with.

In what was at times a frantic derby, Leon Barnett's early header from Paul Green's cross flew beyond his own goalkeeper to derail an express start from Bury.

From that moment on, Athletic - irresistably powerful in a midfield in which Green's quality stands out a mile - were in command.

Lee Erwin hit the far post after a lovely turn inside the area during the first half, Ben Williams in the Shakers goal applying a fingertip save.

Late in the game, from a tricky angle Ryan Flynn forced another excellent stop from the same man and in between those moments, Athletic were resolute.

The only true scare, up against a side boss Stephen Robinson pointed out before the game has a far bigger wage bill, came when ex-Rangers striker and substitute Nicky Clark completely scuffed a shot wide in the 86th minute.

An equaliser would have been richly undeserved. Athletic had their opponents by the scruff of the neck for the majority of this game without managing to apply that killer touch.

And at the back, as a third straight clean sheet was clocked up, Peter Clarke proved his point to his former club. Domineering in his battle for regular diagonal balls aimed toward Tom Pope, he was the stand-out centre-back on show once again.

Robinson made one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Northampton in midweek, with Marc Klok restored to the starting line-up on the right of midfield in place of Lee Croft.

Ryan McLaughlin was back on the bench as he gets closer to full match fitness, but a tight hamstring meant there was no place for Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, while Jamie Reckord's groin problem meant he was not able to feature for the second match running.

Lining up with a diamond formation in midfield ­- Flynn had a free role at its tip - Bury started the game the stronger with wide men Danny Mayor and Zeli Ismael seeking to run at their markers at every opportunity.

The goal after seven minutes came against the run of play. Green whipped in his cross from the left flank and as Barnett attempted to clear, the ball slipped off his head and looped over a wrong-footed Williams.

Robinson danced a jig of delight at his first league goal, in the fourth outing.

Clarke was kept busy by Pope, but Erwin was the striker who looked most capable of causing real issues inside the penalty areas.

The on-loan Leeds man - who had a difficult month on loan at Gigg Lane last season - almost doubled the lead in the 28th minute. Feinting to shoot with his left foot on the edge of the area, Barnett bought the dummy and allowed space for Erwin to dart into, hitting a low right-foot shot across Williams. But for a fantastic fingertip save to direct the ball on to the far post, the player who also struck an upright against Walsall would have been off the mark for the season.

Athletic were on top as the half ended and again went close twice more. First, Billy Mckay robbed Greg Leigh of possession in the right corner and his low cross was met by strike partner Erwin, whose left-foot effort from 12 yards nicked off a defender before going wide.

Next, a lovely Charles Dunne cross was directed wide by the busy Erwin. He was in a good position to get his header on target, but it was a glancing connection and Williams watched the ball travel six feet wide.

With Klok driving the team forward and Ousmane Fane putting his foot in to good effect, Athletic started the second half well and could have scored but for some hesitation on the part of Mckay, A slick passing move set him in on goal, but he waited too long and his left-foot shot was blocked by a defender.

Flynn hit one too close to Williams and Green shot over from long range before Connor Ripley was forced into a sharp near-post stop by Bury danger-man Ismael.

Athletic's goalkeeper was then alert to dive at Clark's feet as the ball dropped inside the box.

As Bury pressed, there were plenty of gaps at the back to exploit. Mckay couldn't quite manage it - he did work extremely hard as a lone front man, though - while Flynn was denied a second goal for the club after being played in down the left side of the area, attempting to shape inside the far post a right-footed effort.

Clark miscued at the vital moment when Ismael had been played in to the byline, hitting the ball against his own standing leg in ugly fashion.

Athletic's technical area contained visibly twitchy figures as four minutes of added time ticked down.

Then the final whistle came, followed by an embrace between Robinson and his assistant Ian Baraclough.