Notts County suffered their third straight League Two defeat this afternoon at Meadow Lane with a 3-1 defeat to Bury.
The Magpies started the game brightly and Danny Crow and Spencer Weir-Daley both had opportunities to give the Magpies lead while Adam Tann also struck the woodwork before the visitors took a surprise lead with a superb long-range effort from Steve Haslam.
Notts drew level just after the hour through Neil MacKenzie from the penalty spot after a handball by Colin Woodthorpe, but Notts were only able to hang onto that goal for three minutes as Rob Scott restored the visitors' advantage - and to make matter worse Crow was carried off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury in the build-up to Notts' penalty.
The visitors settled matters late on through a Nicky Adams penalty after a foul by Adam Tann.
Notts were without a number of players with Paul Mayo suspended and Lee Canoville and Jason Lee injured, so in came debut boy Danny Crow, Gary Silk and Austin McCann to stake a claim for a place in the side.
The early stages were particularly impressive from the Magpies as they produced some good, flowing football and that good movement produced the first chance of the game on ten minutes as debut boy Crow fizzed a low shot towards goal from twenty yards out which Provett got down well to parry, but it was only into the path of Weir-Daley.
However, the goalkeeper quickly denied the striker who had the goal gaping with a good reaction stop, and the ball was turned away for a corner.
Crow's lively performance had clearly given Notts a lift with his busy showing, proving to be a real livewire up the front and dragging the Bury defence into positions they clearly didn't want to be in.
The crowd were playing their part with a positive attitude and really getting behind the players, even when mistakes were being made - which was clearly encouraging the players to keep doing what they were doing and trying different things.
Butcher almost continued his fine run of form on twenty-three minutes with a smart turn and shot from the edge of the box which Provett saved with ease, but it was again Crow who was at the heart of Notts' best moves and a good run and pass picked out Dudfield on twenty-six minutes, but from inside the box he shot straight at Provett.
Notts came even closer a few minutes later as Neil MacKenzie's corner was met by the head of defender Adam Tann whose towering thundered against the crossbar and out for a goal-kick. After all Notts' good play on the deck, it was almost a set-piece which broke the deadlock.
On thirty-one minutes, after all Notts' pressure, the Magpies were handed a massive warning sign as former striker Glynn Hurst rose at the far post to head a right-wing cross into the net beyond the reach of Pilkington. Fortunately for Notts the goal was ruled out for a push, but the effort was certainly a big warning for Notts if they didn't take their chances Bury were very much in the game and could strike at any given opportunity.
Dudfield volleyed wide after a fine ball by Somner on thirty-three minutes, but just a minute later the visitors took a surprise lead with a stunning shot from Steve Haslam. A quick throw-in found Haslam on the edge of the box and his quick right-foot effort seemed to take Notts by surprise and through a crowd of bodes his effort arrowed into the top corner beyond a motionless Pilkington.
A stunned silence aired around Meadow Lane, and it did seem to knock the Magpies a little as Bury enjoyed a five minute respite from Notts pressure after almost half-an-hour of one-way traffic.
Notts did step it up again before the break, but were unable to find a way through before the interval and found themselves a goal behind despite an impressive outing.
Half-Time: Notts County 0-1 Bury
Neither side made changes at the break, but clearly the message from Steve Thompson would be for his side to continue to play the football they had in the first period, but with a little more cutting edge.
Still trying to play their football, it took Notts until the thirteenth minute to carve out an opportunity as Crow fed Dudfield with a neat ball down the inside-right to the penalty area for the frontman to hammer a powerful drive towards goal and inside the near post, but Provett turned the ball away for a corner.
Notts were handed a lifeline by Bury defender Colin Woodthorpe after he handled Crow's header just after the hour, presenting Neil MacKenzie to draw Notts level from the penalty spot, and the frontman made no mistake by calmly slotting the ball into the net.
A blow from the goal was that Crow had to be taken off on stretcher after sustaining an injury in the build-up to the penalty, and back from his long-term injury Myles Weston was introduced in his place.
But, just like last weekend at Wycombe Notts' joy was shortlived. Bury defender Scott was allowed to advance forwards and towards the edge of the box unchallenged and with acres of room to advance into he lined up a low drive and slotted the ball beyond the reach of Kevin Pilkington - with Notts instantly on the back foot again.
Adams and Hurst with headers almost quickly made it three for the visitors, but Notts were able to ride their luck in a spell of heavy Bury pressure and even when they could get on the ball the visitors were packing out the midfield and remaining exceptionally solid at the back and giving Notts little if any time on the ball.
The Shakers were in no mood to give anything away at the back, and they settled matters with a minute to go as a foul by Tann on Hurst in the box allowed Nicky Adams to stroke home from the penalty spot to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
So, Notts must now pick themselves up ahead of next weekend's local derby encounter at Field Mill against Mansfield Town. It has been a difficult few weeks for Notts, but the Magpies can do nothing else but work hard on the training ground this week.
Notts County: Pilkington, Silk, Tann, Hunt (C), McCann, Somner, Butcher, MacKenzie (Parkinson 75), Crow (Weston 65), Weir-Daley (Sam 83), Dudfield.
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, R Austin
Booked: Somner, McCann.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: MacKenzie (64 - Pen).
Bury: Provett, Scott, Woodthorpe, Futcher, Challinor (C), Morgan, Haslam, Hurst (Rouse 90), Adams (Baker 90), Mangan (Buchanan 86), Bullock.
Subs Not Used: Barry-Murphy, Parrish.
Booked: Adams.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Haslam (35), Scott (67), Adams (90 - Pen).
Match Referee: Mr S Cook
Attendance: 3,710 (226 Bury Fans)
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Austin McCann
