Bury Town’s Ryman North play-off aspirations were dealt a severe blow when Norwich United completed a double over the Blues, mainly thanks to the clinical finishing of former Leiston striker Christy Finch who scored a superb hat-trick.
The visitors went ahead in the 12th minute when Finch, in space, fired home from 10 yards.
Bury almost drew level when an inswinging corner was headed on by Kyran Clements, but Andrew Wilton palmed the ball over, before moments later Tevan Allen struck a fierce shot that was deflected for a corner.
The home side were level on 35 minutes when Ryan Jolland fired a strong shot, partially saved by Wilton, and Andrew Cusack ghosted in to stab home the rebound.
Bury continued to improve and Allen set up Josh Mayhew whose effort was narrowly wide, before the same player turned on the edge of the box and rifled a shot that went inches over.
Bury started the second half in explosive style and, on 48 minutes, saw Luke Reid released Mayhew who volleyed a brilliant effort over Wilton from 18 yards. Garrett then released Mayhew beyond the last defender but his rasping strike went wide.
Following sustained pressure, Garrett had an effort saved by Wilton’s outstretched foot but the Planters fought back and Adam Hipperson tested O’Sullivan with a low drive.
The visitors pulled level on 70 minutes. An excellent diagonal ball by Speller picked out Finch who, coming in from the left, resisted a challenge, moved into the box and beat O’Sullivan with aplomb.
Ten minutes later Bradley Barber crucially lost possession in midfield and Speller again set up Finch who clinically punished the home side.
In the closing minutes Bury tried in vain to salvage a point but Finch was the difference as Bury lost vital ground to the teams above them in pursuit of a play-off place.
Bury Town: O’Sullivan, Allen, Cusack, Aitkens, White, Clements, Garrett, Read, Mayhew, Bradley, Jolland (Hughes 74).
Norwich United – Wilton, Shipley, Radomski, Jones (Stewart 60th), Eastaugh, Watts, Speller, Wones, Hipperson (L Jackson 83rd), Henry (J Jackson 87th), Finch.
Referee: Carl Pearse.
Attendance: 276
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