BURY showed no signs of rustiness as they strengthened their grip at the top of Division Eight North with a comfortable victory at Southport.

The win moved the Old Boys seven points clear of second-placed Blackpool, with a game in hand, and maintained their good form after a two-week break.

Luke Fidler’s brace put Bury into an early two-goal lead with Southport unable to cope with his close control and trickery.

Fidler was also the architect of chances for David Hodbod, Andy Foster, Xander Robinson and Jon Kitchen as the visitors attacked at will.

However, a nasty head injury to Chris McManus saw Old Boys lose a little focus once the game had restarted.

Southport mounted a left-wing attack which resulted in a short corner. The shot hit Jonny Lowe on the line, and a penalty stroke was awarded. A neat finish into the bottom corner saw Southport on the scoresheet. Howard was required to clear his lines as the hosts pressed again but that was as good as it got for the basement boys.

Bury dominated possession in the second half with Robinson, Kitchen and Hodbod adding further goals, despite being down to 10 men after Fidler was yellow carded.

The pick of the goals was Kitchen’s after a driving run and incisive pass from the patched-up McManus gave Robinson room to set up Kitchen for a lifted finish. Further chances were created and missed as the Old Boys kept the pressure on until the final whistle in another good win.

The table-toppers face neighbours Bolton at Parrenthorn on Saturday.