RICHARD Wilkins described his side’s first half performance in the Suffolk Premier Cup final as one of the worst he has seen from his promotion-chasers this season.

But stern words at the break and Sam Reed’s stunning second left the Bury Town boss purring at the end of a pulsating final.

Speaking after Bury won their first Premier Cup in 15 years, Wilkins said: “We were awful in the first half and just didn’t put our stamp on it at all. It was like some of my players thought they could stroll to victory. We had the wrong attitude and played like it was a friendly.

“I’m told them so at the interval and I thought we played well in the second half. Sam Reed was just different class and absolutely ran the show.”

Playing for the first time at the home of Ipswich Town, Reed’s second goal wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Championship.

Coming off the pitch clutching his man of the match trophy, Reed said: “I am buzzing. We knew ourselves we didn’t play up to our usual standards in the first half. The manager said some things at half-time and we responded – it was like two different teams.”

While seeing his side dominate the first half, disappointed Needham boss Danny Laws wasn’t looking for any excuses. The former Bury youth team manager said: “I thought they taught us a lesson in winning football games.”