SHAKERS are counting the cost of their 3-1 third round Worthington Cup defeat at Fulham with key midfielder Terry Dunfield facing a lengthy injury lay-off.

The Manchester City youngster, who has been impressive during his loan spell with the Shakers, dislocated his shoulder early in the second half of the Loftus Road defeat, which Shakers' boss Andy Preece described as "a bridge too far" for his gallant side.

There was no repeat of the heroics that earned Bury a 1-0 triumph at the Reebok in the previous round, two goals from Latvian international Andrejs Stolcers and one from former England midfielder Lee Clark dashing their hopes of another giant-killing.

Preece had the consolation of seeing Jon Newby score a stoppage time goal that extended his team's run to 18 consecutive scoring games, equalling a record set in the 1960-61 Third Division championship campaign.

"It was a fine individual goal from Jon and one that will give him confidence as he's gone a few games without a goal," the manager said.

"And it was no more than we deserved. Danny (Swailes) hit the bar with a header at 2-0 and if could have been a different game if that had gone in.

"But we didn't impose ourselves in the first half although we did go with a game plan," the manager said.

"When we got on the ball we didn't do as well as we normally do. I think we looked a bit intimidated on the ball and although we defended pretty well we didn't cause Fulham enough problems, especially in the first half.

"We did better in the second half and passed the ball a lot more, creating problems for them and I could always see us scoring.

"I think a key moment was when we conceded the goal five minutes before half time. In fact all three of their goals were bad ones from our point of view and should have been prevented.

"But we've done well in this competition this year, beat a first division side, a Premier Division side away from home but this was a bridge too far for us."

Bury Formguide: Garner 8, Barrass 6 (O'Shaughnessy, 80), Stuart 7, Swailes 7, Nelson 7, Unsworth 6, Billy 7, Forrest 7, Preece 6 (Nugent, 72), Dunfield 7 (Woodthorpe, 49), Newby 7. Subs not used: Redmond and George.

Referee: Mr D. Pugh (Merseyside)

Attendance: 4,702