MAKE no mistake about it - the Shakers have to rid themselves of the increasing malaise at Gigg Lane or risk getting sucked into another relegation dogfight.

Now without a win in nine games, there was something vaguely metaphoric about the gathering mists on the pitch as, after a promising start, Chris Casper's side lost their way against a side surely destined for League One.

Casper can point to the fact he was unable to replace his instrumental midfielder Dwayne Mattis during the transfer window, an issue he has pledged to address this week when the loan window re-opens. But with the bottom seven gradually reeling in the points void, it is clear something has to change.

Martin Allen's Dons were everything you would expect - physical, driven, and clearly out to correct their 5-0 humbling at Rochdale just seven days earlier.

Had Bury taken one of several good early chances, they may have forced the visitors to open up, but instead the Dons kept an impenetrable shape and scored with their only two shots on target.

Leon Knight - recruited from Swansea City last month - scored on his first full start just before half-time after the Shakers had failed to properly clear the ball. Then, just four minutes after the restart, Knight put a goal on a plate for his captain Keith Andrews to all but seal the points.

Casper cut a frustrated figure after the game, unable to justly criticise his young side - he vowed to try and correct their poor run of results.

"I can't fault their effort but we need to take responsibility now and turn things round ourselves," said the Bury boss. "I'm sick of saying we should have defended better.

"For the first 20 minutes I thought we were much the better side on show, but that is how it has been going for us recently.

"We just have to keep working hard - it won't get handed to us on a plate."

Chances came thick and fast for Bury in the first 15 minutes. Dons' eccentric Spanish keeper Adolfo Baines was forced to rush off his line to block Andy Bishop's effort before Richie Baker had a goal-bound shot blocked by the impressive Drissa Diallo.

Bury's best player on the afternoon, Glynn Hurst, was then denied by a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Jamie Smith as he threatened to get off a shot in the six yard box.

But the home side got a warning of what was in store when Jon-Paul McGovern inexplicably shot over the bar from six yards after connecting with Jude Stirling's right-wing cross.

The Dons grabbed the lead on 32 minutes when Fitzgerald's poor clearance allowed McGovern to steer the ball into the path of Knight, who got in between defender Tom Kennedy and keeper Andy Warrington to lift the ball into the empty net.

They made it two shortly after half time, Kennedy allowing Knight to pull a cross back from the line to give Andrews a simple chance from six yards to score.

Bury tried hard to get back into the game. Substitute Jake Speight twice blasted over the bar and the Shakers had a goal disallowed when Nicky Adams' drive was deflected by Bishop in an offside position.

BURY: Warrington 6; Scott 7; Kennedy 5; Fitzgerald 5; Challinor 5; Bishop 6; Baker 6; Brass 5 (Parrish 77); Adams 5 (Speight 72); Buchanan 6 (Pugh 5, 53); Hurst 7. Subs not used: Fettis; Blinkhorn.

Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire) Att: 2,325.