Reported by Eric Wood at the ProStar Stadium

After missing automatic promotion by just a single goal, The Shakers went into the playoffs as favourites to win at Wembley. Bury are on form going into the playoffs with just two defeats since the start of the year, and named just one change to the side that finished the regular season against Accrington, as Glynn Hurst was given a placer on the bench as Phil Jevons took his place up front with Andy Bishop. The Shakers' opponents Shrewsbury go into the playoffs with the league's best home record, but one of the worst away records despite winning two in a row on the road.

Shrewsbury showed what they were capable of from the kickoff when Nick Chadwick and Kevin McIntyre linked up well on the left wing to create some space for a cross. The ball headed straight towards the far post, where target man Grant Holt was waiting. Wayne Brown though was able to claim the ball on his goal line and prevent Holt from taking advantage.

It was a nervous start from the Shakers during the opening five minutes, but as time went on and they began to keep hold of possession their confidence increased. Brian Barry-Murphy played a good cross into the penalty area for Elliott Bennett, but the Shrewsbury keeper was quick off his line to collect. The high tempo style that both teams were operating continued during the opening stages, but as the first 15 minutes came to a close, it was Bury who were piling on pressure. Stephen Dawson made a superb long counter-attacking run down the wing, and played a low ball wide for Elliott Bennett. Bennett played a good lofting ball into the penalty area searching for Andy Bishop, but the home side's defence put on just enough pressure to put the striker off.

The Shrews had the best chance of the game so far with around 25 minutes gone a deep cross into the penalty area set up Kelvin Langmead. Efe Sodje was marking him tightly however and was able to put Langmead off just enough to force his header just over the crossbar. It didn't take long however for Bury to go back on the attack when Elliott Bennett decided to go for goal from just outside the penalty area. Shrews skipper Graham Coughlan was able to get just enough of a touch on the ball as he slid in front of Bennett, to put the wingers cross just over the bar.

With ten minutes left the first half the home side had a string of quick chances which caught the Shakers completely off guard. Ben Davies had the first close range effort which forced the first save of the night from Wayne Brown. The ball was still loose however which allowed Grant Holt to fire a second attempt while Wayne Brown was recovering, but his shot glanced the inside of the post, before it was eventually forced away by the Shakers.

On the verge of halftime the home side came close again when Ben Davies decided to go for goal from distance, which forced Wayne Brown to once again make a superb stop as he parried the ball over the crossbar.

Halftime: Bury 0-0 Shrewsbury

It was the Shakers who had the first chance of the second half when Andy Bishop fired a long range effort from just outside the penalty area, but his shot went just over the crossbar. Despite this early chance though, it was Shrewsbury who were in control of the early stages, having the most of the possession. The Shakers though were showing glimmers of hope however, as the continued to look dangerous on the advance.

Grant Holt had the chance to give the home side the lead on around 60 minutes when he was able to shake off his marker to try and convert a deep cross. Holt's header though lacked accuracy though as it flew wide of the goal. Bury had a very good chance of their own just a few moments later when Michael Jones decided to go for goal from a free kick near the penalty area. His shot had plenty of power behind it, but just lacked the accuracy as it flew just wide of the right hand post.

Shrewsbury was beginning to pile on the pressure during the final 15 minutes, and was beginning to dominate possession. Elliott Bennett though had a good chance for Bury as he made a run down the wing on the break, but his shot went just over the bar. Against the run of play, Bury took the lead with just under 10 minutes left when Neil Ashton passed the ball back to his keeper Luke Daniels, but didn't realise that the keeper had come off his line. The ball then was too high for the keeper, as it rolled passed him into the empty net to give the Shakers the lead.

Goal Bury 1-0 Shrewsbury (Neil Ashton OG 81)

With around two minutes left of normal time Shrewsbury had the chance to grab the equaliser when Ben Davies decided to go for glory from a direct free kick just outside the penalty area, but his shot went just over the bar. Deep in injury time Davies could have claimed the draw when he fired a good strike from inside the area on the volley, but the ball went just over the bar. Wayne Brown came to the Shakers rescue in the final moments when he made a superb save near his left hand post after a deflection found its way to Grant Holt, who fired a powerful drive at goal.

Fulltime: Bury 1-0 Shrewsbury

Bury: 1: Wayne Brown, 3: David Buchanan, 4: Steve Haslam, 5: Ben Futcher (c), 7: Stephen Dawson, 10: Andy Bishop, 11: Brian Barry-Murphy, 14: Michael Jones, 16: Efetobore Sodje, 22: Phil Jevons, 23: Elliott Bennett (24: John Welsh 90)

Subs: 6: Ryan Cresswell, 9: Glynn Hurst, 12: Danny Racchi, 18: Andy Morrell, 24: John Welsh

Shrewsbury: 26: Luke Daniels, 2: Darren Moss, 3: Neil Ashton, 5: Graham Coughlan (c), 8: Kelvin Langmead, 14: Ben Davies, 15: Paul Murray, 16: Grant Holt, 17: Chris Humphrey (23: David Worrall 45), 21: Nick Chadwick (31: Omar Riza 70), 28: Kevin McIntyre

Subs: 18: Steve Leslie, 23: David Worrall, 24: Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, 29: Moses Ashikodi, 31: Omar Riza