Two goals from Ollie Snaith gave Needham Market a 2-0 victory at Bury Town in the second round of the Alan Turvey Trophy (League Cup), at Ram Meadow, on Tuesday night.

The winger scored in the 25th and 52nd minute to book the high-flying Ryman Premier Division side’s passage at the expense of their Ryman North neighbours.

In an entertaining game, both goalkeepers were kept busy but Needham were the more clinical, scoring a well-worked first goal and capitalising on poor defending for the second.

The game could well have had a different outcome had Bury made the most of some early pressure and then been awarded what looked to be a clear penalty in the 16th minute.

Striker Nick Ingram, who had already hit the post after latching on to Ollie Hughes’ cut back, appeared to be hauled down in the penalty box by James Carragher, but referee Ollie Morris-Sanders waved play on, much to the ire of the home fans inside the ground.

Ingram also saw an effort go wide after he capitalised on a mistake by Ian Miller, as the hosts pressed for the opening goal.

Needham had spurned a couple of half chances inside the first five minutes, Bury goalkeeper Neil O’Sullivan punching clear a Miller back header, before watching Emmanuel Osei’s shot from the edge of the box drift across goal.

However, from their first real opening, they took the lead.

Snaith, who began the game on the left flank, swapped wings with Max Booth and the move paid instant dividends, as he drifted in from the right to finish Osei’s right-wing centre at the second attempt, after O’Sullivan had thwarted his first effort.

Joe Whight then came close to doubling the visitors’ lead eight minutes before half-time, but his free-kick from range, which curled high over the wall, was tipped over the bar impressively by O’Sullivan.

The Bury goalkeeper was not the only stopper that was busy and James Bradbrook, at the other end, in the main did well, although he did have one or two nervy moments as the Blues launched a series of long throws and free-kicks high into his vicinity.

Needham made a double substitution at the break, bringing on Sam Nunn and Ben Frost for Miller and Booth respectively.

It was Bury who started the brighter however and Ryan Jolland should have done better after being put through by Hughes, following some good work from the striker.

One-on-one with the keeper, Jolland looked favourite to score, but Bradbrook stood up well before diving to his right to thwart the effort.

Bury’s Joe Yaxley was the next to test Bradbrook but couldn’t breach the away goalkeeper’s rearguard and, soon after, the Marketmen doubled their lead.

Needham won a corner on the right and after Frost played the ball into the near post, there was Snaith, totally unmarked to head home at the near post.

Bury were ruing their missed chances and whilst they continued to press, Needham, who were impressive on the counter-attack, always looked like they could step up a gear or two if they required.

Callum Harrison was impressive in the heart of the Needham midfield until being substituted, pulling the strings for Mark Morsley’s side, while Snaith, and substitute, Frost, were tricky customers on the flanks.

At the back meanwhile, former Bury left-back Whight was an assured presence, while right full-back Jake Dye got forward well and provided a good attacking threat.

Bury were sloppy in possession at times in the second half as they looked to reduce the deficit but they impressed with 10 minutes to go, producing the move of the match.

Some good one touch play involving Tevan Allen, Noel Aitkens and Tom Debenham ended with the ball bouncing in front of substitute Josh Mayhew who attempted a lob over Bradbrook, the goalkeeper, who has been on loan at Ipswich Wanderers, scrambling back to tip the ball over the bar.

That was the last chance Bury had as Needham defended manfully, led by Nunn, who talked impressive youngster Carragher through the latter stages of the game, and the tireless Luke Ingram in midfield.