Bury vs. Burton Albion - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Gigg Lane

After a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Notts County two days before, Bury returned to home turf to face Burton Albion. The Shakers had dropped out of the play offs places after failing to win since mid-February, and as a result of their poor record of scoring from open play. The Notts County match was their tenth game without a goal from open play; a record that everyone wanted to see the end of. A frustrating March had seen Bury relinquish their automatic promotion place, and now a play off place had slipped from their grasp. With seven matches remaining, including today's game, it looked set to be a tense close season.

After some half chances for Burton in the opening few minutes, it was Bury who took the lead after eight minutes.

GOAL! A neat pass back from Ryan Lowe on the right of the box met the feet of David Worrall; his right-footed shot hit Burton defender Tony James' foot and deflected past his own keeper.

Shakers 1 Brewers 0

James Poole broke clear from his marker on the left wing on 12 minutes, before passing inside for Ryan Lowe on the edge of the box. He tried to make some space and tee up a chance but put it well wide of the right post.

A strong run forward from Russell Penn on 17 minutes tested Wayne Brown in the Bury net after he'd taken the ball from the centre circle as the referee played advantage; taking a shot from the right of the box with power, Brown gathered the ball and kept hold of it.

Poole made another sterling run on 19 minutes, taking the ball down the left wing before passing to Worrall; he took the ball into the box and shooting from the left, Worrall forced a good save from Artur Krysiak in the Burton net.

A reasonably slow remainder of the half ticked by without any clear-cut chances for either side until Poole sent in a classy ball from the left of the box on 42 minutes; it reached the head of Ryan Lowe in front of goal after looping over the head of Krysiak, but Lowe headed well wide.

Two minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury took the ball forward courtesy of a Paul Scott throw in. Time was soon called on a good first half for the Shakers; after both sides seemed to start brightly, Bury got a slice of luck that had been missing for the previous few games thanks to Burton defender Tony James putting the ball past his own keeper. Their goal difference took a beating at Notts County however, so more goals were needed.

Half Time - Shakers 1 Brewers 0

Bury's first corner on 50 minutes presented the Shakers with one of their best early chances of the second half; sent into the box by BBM on the right, Ryan Cresswell got up well to get his head to the ball, but he headed it straight at Krysiak.

Russell Penn tried an ambitious effort on 57 minutes from outside the area; striking it low and hard, Brown got down in time to gather the ball.

Double substitution for Burton Albion on 58 minutes - Tom Parkes on for Andy Corbett, Shaun Harrad on for Steve Kabba

Yellow card for Burton Albion on 64 minutes - John McGrath

Substitution for Burton Albion on 65 minutes - Jacques Maghoma on for Remauld Boco

Some good linking play from Bishop and Lowe on the left of the box on 67 minutes saw Lowe tee up a shot from the edge of the box, only to see it go wide of the left post.

Substitution for Bury on 67 minutes - Andy Morrell on for Ryan Lowe

Yellow card for Burton Albion on 69 minutes - Tony James

Substitution for Bury on 74 minutes - Michael Jones on for James Poole

GOAL! Bury doubled their lead with that elusive goal from open play on 76 minutes. A long ball forward from Wayne Brown fell into the path of Andy Morrell as he paced forward, closely chased by Tom Parkes. Morrell somehow brought the ball down and poked the ball past Krysiak and watched it roll into the net.

Shakers 2 Brewers 0

A foul on Andy Bishop just outside the area on 81 minutes saw the Shakers awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Taken by Bishop after a tap from Jones, it curled towards the top of the goal but was tipped over by Krysiak.

Yellow card for Bury on 82 minutes - Michael Jones

A close range shot from Shaun Harrad kept Wayne Brown on his toes on 84 minutes, but he got down well to gather the ball.

Yellow card for Burton on 85 minutes - Cleveland Taylor

GOAL! Bury took their lead to three goals and doubled Andy Morrell's tally on 86 minutes after David Worrall broke free on the left hand side; he somehow whipped the ball into the box and Morrell got his foot to it to send Bury into an even bigger lead.

Shakers 3 Brewers 0

Substitution for Bury on 87 minutes - Danny Carlton on for Andy Bishop

Three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to press forward. A free kick for Burton in the dying moments saw Michael Jones sent off soon after as he received a second yellow card.

Red card for Bury in added time - Michael Jones

Time was eventually called on a fantastic afternoon for Bury as they got back to winning ways in style. They owed their first goal to a stroke of luck, but there was no denying that Morrell's second half double was laced with class and confidence. The determination that Bury had in the early stages of the season seemed to be back as they continued to move forward even at three goals ahead, and the trip down to Cheltenham for the next game looked a lot more promising.

Full Time - Shakers 3 Brewers 0

Attendance - 2710 (307 visitors)