Anthony Johnson made a winning start as Bury manager defeating Wythenshawe Town 1-0 away at Ericstan Park thanks to a first half strike by Kai Evans.

Jonno in his first match in charge made one change to the side that beat Trafford, Joe Piggott replacing Owen Robinson in attack. On the bench Bury were boosted by the return of the suspended Louis Isherwood and Aidan Walker also returned to the first team for the first time since August after a long spell with injury.

Even with a new manager Bury started the match in much the same way as they have been playing recently. Mo Touray tried his luck with a shot that curled over the bar while Kai Evans drilled a shot just wide of the post.

The Shakers enjoyed the freedom of Ericstan Park with the home side never looking a danger to an organised defence who kept the hosts at arms length.

Rustam Stepans nearly scored a great goal when played in by Touray but his first time shot was wayward and was spooned away. Stepans turned provider later on sending a cross that Touray headed just wide.

The goal was coming. It arrived after 17 minutes when Bebeto Gomes stole the ball away from a Wythenshawe Town defender deep in the home side’s half. Gomes played in Evans who lined up a shot and beat Aidan McKerney in the Wythy Town goal.

There was a slower start to the second half as the hosts defended deeper and tried to turn the course of the match. Piggott was played in on goal but was quickly flagged for offside.

Touray saw a fine shot pushed round the post by McKerney at full stretch and from the resulting corner a Bailey Sloane header was denied by the far post.

The match could have been put beyond a doubt as Evans broke through the home defence. Felled in the box the loud penalty appeals were waved away by the referee.

The frustration chasing a second goal grew, Bury earned a long chain of corner kicks but nothing came of them. A Stepans shot was spilled by McKerney, Touray followed up and took a shot but his effort was cleared off the line and still the Shakers could only keep a slender lead.

Wythenshawe Town hadn’t looked close to scoring all day with Bury keeper Mitch Allen largely a spectator but a rare attack lead to a late corner for the home side. It was headed in but was immediately called back for a foul in the box, a reprieve for the visitors.

There was one final chance for Bury, a stoppage time free kick that Evans directed on target but was well saved and held. Time ran out and Bury could celebrate a first win under their new manager and a result that sees the Shakers return to first place in the table.