Northampton Town vs Bury - Reported by Hannah Ingram at the Sixfields Stadium
Bury went into today's match against Northampton knowing that anything less than a win would see them miss out on the play offs, but they also had to rely on other results to ensure their place in the top seven should they take maximum points. Northampton's recent surge up the league came to a halt in their last away game of the season at Bradford, which they lost 2-0 and left them with a mountain to climb to claim themselves a top seven finish.
Bury started the match well, with an early chance for Ryan Cresswell inside the first minute; a neat pass from Morrell to Bishop saw him send a clever cross from the right which Jason Steele had to tip over his bar. The resulting corner from BBM fell to the head of Cresswell but he headed just wide from close range.
A clash between David Buchanan and John Johnson on 15 minutes resulted in a lot of pushing and shoving from either side, after Buchanan won a 50/50 ball.
Billy McKay shot wide of the left post on 28 minutes after Adebayo Akinfenwa threaded a clever ball through to him. Moments later and Andy Morrell tried to latch onto a looping ball forward from Ryan Lowe, but Steele touched the ball into his path, meaning he sent it well over.
A free kick from BBM on 38 minutes swung into the box for Futcher; but the ball was cleared from in front of him for a Bury corner.
Three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official, and Billy McKay took full advantage in the first minute. He broke through into the Bury box, Cameron Belford came forward to try and take the ball from him but stayed on the ground; McKay then missed an open net and hit the side netting from the right of the box.
GOAL! At the other end of the pitch and moments later, Ryan Lowe was the recipient of a pass from Bishop after he had intercepted a poor backpass from Northampton. Striking from the left hand side of the box, he finished from an acute angle to claim his 18th goal of the season.
Shakers 1 Cobblers 0
The referee called time soon after the Shakers had taken the lead; arguably at the best point in the match. Scores elsewhere meant that Bury were still sitting outside of the playoffs in 8th place despite taking the lead.
Half Time - Shakers 1 Cobblers 0
The second half saw many more chances for the home side as they tried to pull a goal back and keep their own play off hopes alive.
A long range effort from Liam Davis on 50 minutes was blasted well over the bar, but it was McKay once again who tried his luck three minutes later. He broke free into the box before Buchanan and Belford were soon chasing him down; Belford held his ground and got down well to claim the ball. A minute later and Ryan Gilligan tried his luck from long range, seeing Belford save the ball into his chest.
Four minutes later and Andy Holt saw his drive from just inside the box saved by Belford to his right. There seemed to be not let up for the Shakers as Northampton continued to press forward.
Substitution for Northampton on 63 minutes - Luke Guttridge on for Paul Rodgers
A late tackle from James Poole on John Johnson meant he was sent off by the referee. It seemed to be a circumstance of the game; had Bury not been truly going for it, perhaps Poole wouldn't have challenged for that ball and landed into trouble.
Red card for Bury on 65 minutes - James Poole
Substitution for Bury on 68 minutes - Danny Carlton on for Andy Bishop
Substitution for Northampton on 77 minutes - Courtney Herbert on for Billy McKay
Substitution for Bury on 77 minutes - Mike Jones on for Andy Morrell
Substitution for Bury on 85 minutes - Tom Newey on for Ryan Lowe
Four minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Northampton still searched for a goal. Bury had put all their men behind the ball since the sending off to avoid conceding, but their luck ran out in the final minute of added time.
GOAL! Adebayo Akinfenwa's shot took a cruel deflection and went past Cameron Belford in the Bury goal who was understandably wrong-footed.
Shakers 1 Cobblers 1
Whilst the Bury players looked dejected as the ball hit the back of the net, the fans knew it didn't change the situation as they were still outside the play offs due to Dagenham and Morecambe winning; the exact opposite results needed by Bury.
Time was soon called on a disappointing afternoon for the Shakers. Their season had it's highs and lows but sadly ended on the latter. From the heady heights of the automatic promotion places, the Shakers have steadily fallen out of the top seven and will spend another season in the basement division.
Full Time - Shakers 1 Cobblers 1
