Kelvin Etuhu scored his first goal in two-and-a-half years to give Bury a much needed three points to leapfrog Burton Albion to the top of the League Two table.
Tranmere Rovers have struggled to get a win recently, as their losing streak now stretches to six games.
The game remained goalless going into the break, with a point not enough for either side.
The Shakers showed they deserved to be top of the table as they responded to a lacklustre first half with a goal 15 minutes after the restart.
A Bury corner was only cleared towards the ex-Manchester City striker Etuhu, who fired home from distance to give his side the lead.
Etuhu continued to terrorise the Tranmere back line, carving through with ease and threading a pass to Daniel Nardiello, who put the ball just past the post.
The Bury fans paid tribute with a minutes applause on the 73rd minute to the late Fred Mason, the former president of the club.
Nardiello sealed all three points for the league leaders as the striker headed home from the six-yard box in the 87th minute.
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