ROCHDALE'S derby-day demolition left Bury shaken to the core at Spotland.
Three second-half goals from Joe Thompson, Chris Dagnall and Tom Kennedy were the home side's reward for a rampant display that left Bury manager Alan Knill furious with his own team's ineffectiveness.
The margin of the scoreline did not flatter Keith Hill's men, and it could have been even bigger but for some fine goalkeeping from Wayne Brown.
Bury offered little in attack and looked shaky at the back, and Knill fumed: “It was a bad performance from us and the best team won.
“Once they went in front, it looked like they could score every time they attacked us.
“It's the second time we have been beaten 3-0 already this season and it could have been more because Wayne Brown was excellent. We just capitulated really.
“The supporters came here in numbers and were in great voice and it disappoints me that we put in a second half performance like that.”
There was very little between the sides in the first half, but Stephen Dawson and Efe Sodje both had to make goalsaving interceptions to prevent their side going behind early on.
At the other end, Ryan Lowe and Dawson tried their luck but chances were at a premium as both teams looked to impose themselves on a blood and thunder clash.
But, if the first half ended honours even, Rochdale won the second period hands down.
The warning signs were there for Bury when Brown tipped Dagnall's shot wide, and it wasn't long before Thompson rifled his side ahead after 58 minutes.
Bury knew they needed to improve in the final third and threw on striking trio Andy Bishop, Andy Morrell and Domaine Rouse - but the cavalry could do nothing about some shoddy defending at the back.
First, the lively Dagnall beat the offside trap and clinically slotted past Brown before former Bury favourite Kennedy fired home a penalty after Paul Scott was harshly adjusged to have fouled Will Buckley in the box.
The Shakers tried to lift themselves from the canvas, but they were totally outclassed by their neighbours and Knill was moved to apologise to the Bury fans for such a dreadful showing.
“It just wasn't good enough at all,” said Knill, who handed a debut to new signing Tom Newey at Spotland. “We worked on a gameplan and it shouldn't have gone out of the window when we went a goal down.
“If we needed a boot, there is no bigger boot than a local derby.”
The Gigg Lane outfit are back in action on Tuesday evening when they visit Walsall in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
ROCHDALE: Arthur 6, Flynn 7, T Kennedy 8, Holness 7, Dawson 8, Thompson 7, Buckley 8, J Kennedy 7, Jones 8, Dagnall 8, O'Grady 7. Subs not used: Edwards, Stanton, Spencer, Stephens, Wiseman, Higginbotham, Rundle.
BURY: Brown 8, Scott 6, Futcher 5, Sodje 6, Newey 5, Worrall 6, Dawson 7, Barry-Murphy 6, Racchi 5 (Rouse 5, 68), Lowe 5 (Bishop 5, 62), Robertson 6 (Morrell 6, 62). Subs not used: Johnson, Cresswell, Baker, Belford.
Attendance: 4,934
Referee: Mr K Stroud (Hampshire)
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