Bury kept the pressure on the top three in League Two by easing to a 3-0 home win against lowly Macclesfield Town on Saturday.

Top scorer Andy Bishop gave the Shakers a fourth-minute lead with his 18th goal of the season before strike partner Glynn Hurst sealed victory with a second-half double.

Alan Knill's men made a dream start as Nat Brown left Bishop unmarked to head home at the far post from Brian Barry-Murphy's corner.

Macc replied with Gareth Evans testing Bury keeper Wayne Brown at his near post while Welsh had to clear a Shaun Brisley header off the line from Lee Bell's corner.

The visitors, whose league status was assured despite defeat, remained a threat after the break as Colin Daniel and half-time substitute Ahmed Deen kept Brown alert.

But Bury eased their nerves in the 57th minute as Hurst controlled Elliott Bennett's through ball before coolly side-footing past Jon Brain. And 15 minutes from time Hurst turned in his eighth of the season from sub Phil Jevons' cut-back, while Bennett hit a post late on.