RONAN Murray served Paul Jewell a timely reminder as an experienced Ipswich Town XI beat Bury Town 3-2.

The diminutive striker chipped home a 86th minute winner as the Ryman League Premier Division side ran their illustrious opponents close.

In fact, Bury new signing Danny Cunningham came within six minutes of stealing the headlines with a fantastic 25-yard free kick which drew the scores level.

With the Town boss watching on, Aaron Cresswell, Luca Civelli, Luke Hyam, Josh Carson, Jaime Peters and Murray all started, but Shane O’Connor was notable by his absence.

And the early signs were that Bury were in for a difficult night when Civelli played in Murray for a decent early chance but his shot was well blocked by the legs of Marcus Garnham.

Against the run of play, the Ryman League Premier Division side took a 23rd minute lead when Bury skipper Tom Bullard found himself with too much room at the heart of the Town defence and his deflected shot deceived Cody Cropper.

But it did not take Ipswich long to equalise, towering centre back Jide Maduako rising highest to head Civelli’s corner in.

Ten minutes before the break, Town took the lead but it owed everything to a ghastly error from Garnham.

Murray’s through ball should have been scooped up by the Bury keeper but he inexplicably allowed it to slip out his grasp allowing Caolan Lavery with the simple task of tapping the ball in.

A nightmare moment for Garnham, a former Town Academy player, and an undeserved one for his team who had matched their illustrious opponents for most of the half.

And they almost grabbed an equaliser immediately after the restart but Buallrd’s far post header was parried away by Cropper.

Both keepers were kept busy with a piledriver from sub Conor Hourihane stinging the palms of Garnham.

But it was Town’s American keeper who took centre stage when Joe Whight brought down Luke Ingram in the penalty area.

Lee Smith’s spot kick was low but Cropper, who last week signed his first professional contract, dived well to his right before leaping up and grabbing the rebound.

The second half was punctuated by subs, with Bury changing all but one of their original starting line-up.

Among the Town changes, Jamie Griffiths played his first game this year following a double stress fracture of the back.

Starting line-ups: Bury Town: Marcus Garnham, Elliott Hunter, Mark Coulson, John Kennedy, Daniel Hitching, Tom Bullard, Craig Nurse, Stephen Smith, Sam Reed, Lee Reed, Chris Henderson.

Ipswich Town: Cody Cropper, Callum Bennett, Aaron Cresswell, Luke Hyam, Jide Maduako, Joe Whight, Luca Civelli, Josh Carson, Ronan Murray, Caolan Lavery, Jaime Peters.

Attendance: 941