Mark Sertori came in from the cold to fire Bury to a 3-0 win over Fulham tonight and keep the Shakers on course for promotion from the Third Division.
The man from a famous ice cream family appeared to be Gigg Lane’s forgotten figure having been loaned out to non-league WItton Albion for much of this signing. But after injury ruled out new signing Gary Brabin as well as leading scorer Mark Carter, Sertori was summoned into the starting line-up by manager Stan Ternant ahead of former Fulham favourite Phil Stant.
Sertori took just nine minutes to make his mark – heading home a cross from lively winger David Johnson to give Bury the lead. Johnson popped up on the other wing to create a second goal for midfielder Lenny Johnrose, who also scored with his head, with the Fulham defence at sixes and sevens. Johnrose – a constant threat to the visitors – then turned provider to set up full back Dean West for his first goal for the club just after the interval to ensure that Fulham’s miserable run of not winning at Gigg Lane for forty years continued.
West might have added a second later in the second half but his powerful shot crashed against the woodwork and bounced to safety. Fulham had spurned good chances in the first half with Rob Scott and Nick Cusack seeing shots blocked on the goal-line and Bury goalkeeper Lee Bracey making smart saves to deny former Preston striker Mike Conroy on two occasions.
BURY: Bracey; West, N. Reid, Daws, Lucketti; Jackson, Hughes, Johnson (Matthews 75), Johnrose, Sertori (Stant 75), Rigby. Sub (not used): Bimson.
GOALS: Sertori (9), Johnrose (35), West (48).
FULHAM: Lange, Jupp, Herrera, Morgan, Angus, Blake, Brooker, Cusack, Conroy, Scott, McAree. Subs: Simpson, Mison, Hamsher.
ATTENDANCE: 3,276
