After seeing his team undone by two goals from January transfer target Andy Bishop McIlroy hinted that some of his players needed to shape up or be shipped out at the end of the season.

McIlroy said: "I don't want this season to fan out and have players looking towards next season because that is not my style.

"I'm seeing a lot of things now at this stage of the season that shows we need to improve next year. We will need to bring in players who know this level.

"These boys have done fantastically well but we have to fight right to the end and if I don't see it on the field then I am going to have to do something about it.

"This bad run is putting a bit of a downer on a brilliant season but good teams respond and I want to see a response quickly.''

This game was decided by two goals from Bury goal ace Andy Bishop, a player McIlroy made a club record £60,000 bid for in January.

He struck either side of the break, the first a close-range goal from David Buchanan's left-wing cross seconds before the half-time whistle.

The Shrimps lost possession and the cross evaded the outstretched leg of David Artell allowing the unmarked Bishop to slide home at the far post.

The visitors almost hit back immediately in the second half with a Neil Sorvel volley that forced a superb save from Darren Randolph.

But the comeback was short-lived as Bury extended their lead two minutes later.

Carl Baker gave the ball away in the Bury half and as he tried to make amends, tracking Nicky Adams back all the way into his own penalty box, he brought him down to give the Shakers a spot-kick which Bishop stroked home.

Stewart Drummond gave the Shrimps a brief glimmer of hope when he scored his first goal since rejoining the club with a header from Garry Thompson's corner but a second goal proved out of reach for the visitors.

Morecambe had started the game brightly and played some neat football but still lacked the cutting edge which had seen them go four games without a goal.

The home side looked sharper on the break with Elliott Bennett and Nicky Adams dangerous on the wings.

Bennett provided decent crosses from the right with Efe Sodje sending out a warning sign with a header over on 20 minutes before Glyn Hurst saw a shot on the turn cleared off the line by Artell.

Three minutes later Hurst wasted a glorious opportunity to give the Shakers the lead when he headed wide after being left unmarked six yards out before the recalled Shwan Jalal saved well from Bennett.

Morecambe's first threatening moment came with a Wayne Curtis header which went wide before Jim Bentley was denied a goal on 44 minutes by an excellent Randolph save at the near post after a Baker corner was flicked on.

After the three goals, Morecambe pushed forward with Artell twice firing over and sub Paul Lloyd volleying wide from the Shrimps' best opening on 73 minutes.

But Bury held Morecambe at bay and the Shrimps were grateful to Jalal for making another excellent save as Hurst was put through on goal.

Morecambe

Jalal 7

Yates 6

Artell 6

Bentley 6

Adams 7

Hunter 6

Sorvel 7

Drummond 7

Baker 6

Curtis 6

Thompson 6

Subs
Blinkhorn (for Hunter 46)
Lloyd (for Baker 50)
Newby (for Curtis 78)
Unused subs: Davies, McStay.

Bury: Randolph, Haslam, Futcher, Sodje, Buchanan, Bennett (Parrish 90), Scott, Barry-Murphy, Adams, Hurst (Rooney 65), Bishop. Unused subs: Provett, Baker, Yeo.

Attendance: 2,596.
Referee: Tony Bates 8
An easy game for the ref

Bury Mcbe
On target 5 2
Off target6 7
Fouls 10 13
Corner 5 5
Offsides 2 2

Starman:
Neil Sorvel – always neat and tidy in the Morecambe midfield