BRISTOL ROVERS 1, SHAKERS 0: Shakers paid the ultimate price for their lack of a cutting edge at the Memorial Ground on Saturday as they slumped to within one place of the League Two relegation places.

While there was a recognisable improvement from their previous three away games - a trio of defeats which had seen them ship eleven goals - the paucity of goalscoring opportunities created remains a big worry.

Rovers goalkeeper Scott Shearer did not make a noteworthy save throughout the whole 90 minutes as the Shakers failed to carve out a decent opening.

That said, they were still worth a draw if only for their hard work and endeavour and the way they nullified one of the most potent strikeforces in the division.

Leading scorer Richard Walker has scored more goals this season than the combined total of the eleven Bury players that took to the field, and in Junior Agogo he has a partner not far behind him.

But they found chances difficult to come by throughout the game as the Bury backline did their level best to keep things tight.

So it was all the more disappointing that they were undone by just the one defensive lapse.

It came in the 28th minute, against the run of play, when the Shakers defence squandered a couple of chances to avert danger, allowing Walker to set up Agogo who fired past keeper Craig Dootson from eight yards.

It turned out to be the only shot the Bury keeper, making his full league debut, had to save throughout the afternoon.

"Nothing went for us in the box, we just didn't get the rub of the green but you have to make that yourself," said Bury boss Chris Casper.

"The goal was the same old thing, we should have cleared our lines, but apart from that we defended very effectively."

On-loan Sheffield United striker Colin Marrison had probably the best chance to score for the Shakers when his goalbound effort from 12 yards was superbly blocked by Rovers skipper James Hunt four minutes before Agogo struck.

"If we'd have played like we did today in our recent away matches we'd have picked up some points," added Casper.

"In recent weeks we've looked like we haven't been enjoying our football but we looked a lot happier today.

"Despite our poor run there is no fear in the side and we are still positive."

Bury: Dootson, Scott, Challinor, Fitzgerald, Woodthorpe, Adams, (Hannah 82), Flitcroft, Mattis, Barry-Murphy, Marrison, Tipton (Youngs 76).

Subs not used: Grundy, Brass and Buchanan.

Referee: S. Dorr (Worcester)

Attendance: 6,027