Grimsby Town 5 Bury 1: BURY'S good start to the season was brought to a shuddering halt at a sunny Blundell Park on Saturday.

Level at half-time, and well in control of proceedings, Graham Barrow's men were given a lesson in finishing after the break and the scoreline would have been worse if not for two penalty saves from goalkeeper Glyn Garner.

Forced to revert to an unfamiliar back four due to injuries and suspensions the shortage of cover for the back line was ruthlessly exposed by a Grimsby side that went for the jugular in the second half.

Yet the Shakers got off to the best possible start by going in front inside the first 75 seconds.

A long throw from skipper Dave Challinor was flicked on by Dave Nugent and Brian Barry-Murphy blasted home from close range after Anthony Williams had palmed his initial header onto a post.

Darren Mansaram calmly slid the ball under Garner in the 15th minute after some schoolboy defending by the Shakers.

On the balance of play, the home side could count themselves lucky to be level at half time but they more than made up for that in a storming second half showing.

Bury escaped when Garner pushed a penalty round the post, but a minute later Nugent's raised arm connected with the ball in the box and another penalty was awarded.

This time, Sestanovich stepped up to take it but Garner once more blocked his effort only to see the big man reach the ball first to bundle home.

Grimsby went further ahead after 64 minutes when Parkinson's chip from outside the box was pushed onto the bar by Garner and French midfielder Thomas Pinault followed up to score with ease.

After 73 minutes when substitute Michael Reddy found space down the right to put in a dangerous ball across the face of Garner's goal. Parkinson missed his chance to convert but the ball broke for Pinault who made no mistake for his second.

The fifth arrived 12 minutes from time when Reddy cut in from the left and fired a right-foot effort past Garner's despairing dive.

BURY FORMGUIDE:

Garner 7, Barrass 5, Kennedy 5, Unsworth 5, Challinor 6, Whaley 5, Mattis 5 (Dunfield 78), Flitcroft 6, Barry-Murphy 7, Nugent 7, Porter 6 (Newby 73). Subs not used: Douglas-Pringle, Duxbury and Cartledge.

REFEREE: Mr E. Iderton

ATTENDANCE: 4,677