Reported by Eric Wood at Gigg Lane
It was set to be a nerve obliterating afternoon at Gigg Lane, with just 90 minutes separating the Shakers from a chance of playing the likes of Leeds and Charlton next season in League One. Bury had the chance to go up with just a draw against Accrington Stanley, but everything depended on what was happening at the Don Valley Stadium, as an Exeter victory against Rotherham would mean the Shakers would have to settle for the playoffs. Bury had just one change to the side that drew in Gillingham. Stephen Dawson came back into the starting line-up, which meant John Welsh had to settle for a place on the bench.
It was an edgy opening few minutes for Bury, who had started a little nervously. Stanley were first to pose a threat when a deep ball into the six yard box nearly met the diving header of Craig Lindfield, but the ball had too much power behind it as the ball rolled harmlessly out of play. Elliott Bennett came close to finishing off a Bury counter attack just after ten minutes with a strike from just inside the area. Bennett though couldn't quite control the ball as he fired it high over the crossbar. Bury though did begin to settle into the game around twenty minutes in, and were looking good when going forward. Glynn Hurst had a golden opportunity when he managed to break through the Accrington defence, and fired a good shot from just inside the area. The low drive beat the Stanley keeper Kenny Arthur, but the ball went just wide of the far post.
Bury came close again not long after when Andy Bishop fired in a superb back heel shot from just inside the six yard box which caught the Stanley keeper off guard. The shot though lacked the accuracy, as it rolled slowly past the left hand post. After the Shakers couple of chances however, the game began to take a slower pace as Bury continued to try and go forward, but were finding difficulty breaking through the Stanley defence. With things still scoreless between Exeter and Rotherham, Bury still remained in fourth. Although, and unlikely goal for Notts County against Wycombe meant there was a glimmer of hope of getting automatic promotion through an unexpected route.
Halftime: Bury 0-0 Accrington
Accrington had the first chance of the second half early on when John Miles made a long run into the penalty area and tried to slot the ball home from close range, but Wayne Brown was quick to react and made the save. News soon came through during the early stages of the second period that Wycombe had grabbed the equaliser, which meant the only likely team to catch was Exeter. There were soon a few hearts in mouths at Gigg Lane when Bury had a quick string of corners, all of them nearly causing problems for Stanley.
On 56 minutes Accrington were rewarded a highly debatable penalty when Wayne Brown charged out to cover the ball, in the process bringing down striker Craig Lindfield. Referee Andy D'Urso didn't hesitate in awarding Stanley the penalty despite Wayne Brown protesting his innocence. Skipper Peter Cavanagh stepped up and fired the penalty powerfully straight down the middle, but the ball smashed hard against the crossbar, keeping the promotion hopes alive. With twenty minutes left Bury had two clear cut chances in the space of just a minute. Phil Jevons had a superb opportunity with a close range effort, but his shot went just inches past the left hand post. Almost instantly after Ben Futcher nearly put the Shakers in third spot when he looked to connect with a corner from Michael Jones, but Futcher couldn't get anything on it.
The silence that spread around Gigg Lane with around a quarter of an hour left said it all as Exeter took the lead against Rotherham, which meant as it stood a victory for the Shakers would not guarantee automatic promotion. With five minutes left Bury nearly claimed a probable winner when Efe Sodje fired a strong header at goal, but the chance was easily saved by Kenny Arthur in the Stanley goal. The Shakers then came agonisingly close again when Ben Futcher was set up by Andy Morrell with a diving header, which forced a superb save from Kenny Arthur.
The Shakers did claim the winner in the dying seconds with a Phil Jevons penalty, but because of other results, Bury will be travelling to Shrewsbury on Thursday night for the first leg in the playoffs.
Goal Bury 1-0 Accrington (Phil Jevons 90)
Fulltime: Bury 1-0 Accrington
Bury: 1. Wayne Brown, 3: David Buchanan, 4: Steve Haslam, 5: Ben Futcher (c), 7: Stephen Dawson, 9: Glynn Hurst (18: Andy Morrell 65), 10: Andy Bishop (22: Phil Jevons 61), 11: Brian Barry-Murphy, 14: Michael Jones, 16: Efe Sodje, 23: Elliott Bennett (12: Danny Racchi 76)
Subs: 6: Ryan Cresswell, 12: Danny Racchi, 18: Andy Morrell, 22: Phil Jevons, 24: John Welsh
Accrington: 1: Kenny Arthur, 2: Peter Cavanagh (C), 6: Andrew Proctor, 7: John Miles, 9: Craig Lindfield, 11: Bobby Grant (21: Chris Turner 55), 12: Phil Edwards, 14: James Ryan, 15: Robert Williams, 22: Sean McConville (16: John Mullin 66), 29: Kieran Charnock
Subs: 23: Zac Hibbert, 16: John Mullin, 21: Chris Turner, 33: Adam King, 4: Leam Richardson
Attendance: 7,515 (514 Away)
