ASTLEY and Tyldesley’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a narrow 92-87 defeat to Bury at the Gin Pit.

The Errol Thaw and Danny Hughes pairing took advantage of a fall by Chris Parish to secure a 7-3 heat win for A&T in heat four and move into the lead.

But Bury came back with a 7-3 heat win of their own as the Ben Scranage and James Elston pairing passed Reece Pollitt on the last lap to put Bury back in front, 30 -29.

The visitors were never beaten after that and won 92-87.

Polish star Radek Handke raced to a 20-point maximum score for A&T.

The result saw A&T drop to second place in the Northern League Division One, as Stockport kept up their 100-per-cent record with victory at Sheffield.

Meanwhile, A&T had plenty to celebrate in Division Two as they kept top spot after they overcame an interval deficit of 42-38 to storm back in the second half to take a 76-74 win.

A&T points: Ciaran Collins 16 (1), Max Evans 15 (2), Gareth Paine 15 (2), Mark Grantham 12, Jon Quarmby 11, John White 6, Ben Dickinson 1, Joe Quarmby dnr.

Elsewhere, in the Division Three match, A&T also took the honours with a 163-63 win.

British under-eight champion John White was again unbeaten, as was British under-10 girls' silver medalist Emily Burgess.

A&T points: John White 16, Emily Burgess 16, Ben Dickinson 15, Joe Quarmby 13, Luke Hill 13, Charlie Dickinson 13, Jonah Clare 12, Charlie Burgess 12, Max Evans 11, Jack Littler 11, Kieran Fallon 9, Ryan Fallon 8, Lucy Grantham 7, Finn Boland 7.

Meanwhile, A&T finished third in the opening North Regional Round of the British Youth and Junior League at Sheffield on Saturday.

White triumphed in the under-10 Grand Prix A Final, having moved up a category this year.