ROCK-bottom Bury made a mockery of the League One table as they stunned leaders Shrewsbury.

The Shakers may have been without a permanent manager and without a win in six league games.

But in his sixth match as caretaker boss, Ryan Lowe finally got the response he’d been asking for as a much-changed side put in Bury’s best performance of the season.

The visitors had only lost once in 17 league games this term and were awarded a 43rd-minute penalty against the run of play.

But winger Shaun Whalley missed it and Bury took full advantage, with Greg Leigh’s 56th-minute effort proving enough to secure a welcome win.

Lowe made six changes after successive 3-0 home defeats while also switching from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-4-1-1.

Earlier in the day former Bury centre-half Chris Lucketti emerged as the latest favourite for the manager’s job.

And who knows whether it was the potential appointment of a new boss, the changes made by Lowe or the backing of a much more vocal home crowd, but this was a vastly-improved performance.

Given Bury’s summer signings, the bookies expected them and Shrewsbury to be the other way round in the League One table this season.

And although the Shrews’ unbeaten start lasted until October 28, it looked as though Bury were the side that was up there.

After a quiet start, the Shakers bossed the first half.

Michael Smith headed over from a Jay O’Shea free-kick before Bury went close twice in quick succession just after the half-hour mark.

O’Shea curled over from around 25 yards before Harry Bunn caught ex-Shaker Joe Riley in possession, but keeper Dean Henderson stuck out his right boot to keep out Smith’s low strike.

Henderson also kept out a 20-yard strike by winger Mihai Dobre yet moments later the visitors had a golden chance to break the deadlock.

Toto Nsiala played a ball down the right channel for Carlton Morris, who was brought down in the box by Bury keeper Leo Fasan.

But Whalley fired the spot-kick against the post and Stefan Payne’s follow-up brushed the side-netting.

Bury remained on top after the break, with O’Shea and Smith combining to put Leigh clean through to slide in the opener.

Dobre was then denied by Henderson while Fasan made a fine save to keep out a fierce strike by Jon Nolan.

And the Shakers’ keeper secured the victory as he made a point-blank save from defender Nsiala late on to send them to within two points of safety.

Match ratings

SHAKERS (4-4-1-1):

LEO FASAN 8

PHIL EDWARDS 8

NATHAN CAMERON 8

EOGHAN O'CONNELL 8

GREG LEIGH 9

MIHAI DOBRE 7

JOSH LAURENT 7

ROHAN INCE 7

HARRY BUNN 8

JAY O'SHEA 8

MICHAEL SMITH 8

Subs: Maguire 7, 51 (for Bunn), Williams 6, 78 (for Dobre) Reilly 5, 90 (for Smith)

Not used: Ajose, Aldred, Tutte, Maloney.

Shrewsbury (4-4-1-1): Henderson; Riley, Nsiala, Beckles, Sadler; Whalley, Godfrey, Nolan; Payne; Dodds, C. Morris.

Subs: John-Lewis 66 (for Doods), Gnahoua 80 (for C. Morris).

Not used: Adams, Bolton, B. Morris, Shelis, MacGillivray.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 3,055 (455 away)