DAVID Flitcroft praised star striker James Vaughan after his brace against MK Dons wrapped up a perfect September for the Shakers.

Vaughan's double, along with a Zeli Ismail goal in stoppage time sealed Bury's 3-1 victory, which made it six wins out of six for the month.

The Shakers had their backs to the wall all evening but sheer grit and determination – along with some world-class saves from Ben Williams – ensured they clinched maximum points to remain second in League One.

Flitcroft was honest in his assessment of the performance, acknowledging MK Dons' dominance, but also praised his side's resilience.

“We have to talk about honesty,” Flitcroft said. “MK Dons were the best team. The movement at times and the way that they try to play through you and cut you open, we thought we would have coped with it better but we didn't.

“Did we deserve the win? In moments we deserved the win, but we certainly weren't the better team.

“When you have got someone like James Vaughan on the pitch, the guy's a predator. He's anticipating that moment, he can smell blood. He has smelt that the centre halves are out of position and his finishing is outstanding.

“Jacob Mellis' ball for the goal. I have known Jacob Mellis for five years and it's the best performance I've ever seen from him.

“Karl Robinson's team is probably the team which has given us the most problems this season but the game is about winning, taking three points and giving our fans something to cheer about and that is what we have done.”

Bury took the lead in the eighth minute following a moment of brilliance by Vaughan. The forward picked the pocket of Paul Downing before lashing a wonderful strike past the helpless David Martin from the edge of the area.

The hosts were well in control of the game but a highly organised Bury defence held their own.

Williams made his first spectacular save two minutes before half time to keep out Downing's header from a couple of yards out, before flying to his left to tip Nicky Maynard's effort around the post.

The woodwork came to Bury's rescue two minutes after the restart as substitute Samir Carruthers smashed a shot against the post after finding space in the box, before Downing crashed a header against the upright following Ben Reeves' pin-point cross.

Bury would not be so lucky on the 64th minute when Reeves tapped in the equaliser after initially being denied by a magnificent Williams save.

But four minutes later Vaughan restored Bury's lead against the run of play. The outstanding Mellis broke forward and played an excellent pass into the path of the striker who clinically finished from close range.

MK Dons threw everything at the Shakers, including the goalkeeper, late on but Ismail counter-attacked from a corner five minutes into added time to walk the ball into the net and seal the win.

With maximum points obtained throughout September, Flitcroft stands a very good chance of being named League One manager of the month – an award he was overlooked for last September when the Shakers also racked up a perfect points tally.

“I've got bad memories of that,” Flitcroft said. “The last time we achieved the full points total of five wins, 15 points, I didn't win it.

“My mum was disappointed. I wasn't too bad but my mum went mad! It doesn't matter what award I get or the club gets – that group of players and the shift they put in, that's what it's about.

“If I win an award it's for the lads' effort, completely for the lads' effort, it's incredible.”

Match rating

Bury (4-4-2): Williams 9; Jones 7 (Bryan 18, 8), Kay 9, Maher 8 (Etuhu 45, 7), Leigh 8; Ismail 7, Soares 8, Mellis 8, Danns 7; Pope 7 (Hope 59, 7), Vaughan 9. Not used: Rachubka, Tutte, Dudley, Walker.

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Baldock, Downing, Walsh, Lewington; Upson (Carruthers 13), Potter; Agard, Reeves, Colclough; Maynard ( Tshimanga 71). Not used: Nicholls, G C Williams, G B Williams, Hendry, Thomas-Asante.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).