Bury's trip to the midlands proved to be a fruitful evening in more ways than one as not only did we progress into the next stage of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but an excellent performance was the main winner on the night for the 200 travelling supporters.

The game got off to a quick start with the home side's main threat causing problems in abundance.Darren Byfield used speed and trickery throughout the night and his first meaningful attack after only two minutes brought trepidation to the travelling Bury fans.Pace down the flank before he cut inside showing a pair of quick feet and skill a plenty, he met a stubborn Ben Futcher as he broke into the box who nonchalantly poked the ball away from Byfield allowing Tom Newey to thump the ball down the field.

Byfield again on four minutes managed to smash a good chance clean over the cross bar, another chance on seven minutes from the same player was thwarted by Paul Scott's clearance for a throw before the livewire let somebody else use the ball for a moment and Richard Taundry managed to see a long range drive deflected away for a Walsall corner.

It took a good thirteen minutes for Bury to carve out their first chance.Jordan Robertson collected the ball near the half way line and played a quick one two with the impressive Simon Johnson, having regained the ball Robertson surged into the box only to see his shot on target pushed away for a Bury corner.BBM's first out swinging effort was met by the head of debutant Clayton McDonald - a man mountain of a central defender, the second though was cleared again by the same player only this time he managed to get the ball out and up the field.

Simon Johnson showed plenty on the night and one run on 19 minutes showed skill on the ball, trickery and pace that earned him such rave reviews in his earlier career with Leeds United.He flashed down the wing before cutting into the Walsall box and laid off a stunning ball for Jordan Robertson, unfortunately the onloan Sheff United striker just couldn't reach the effort before keeper Gilmartin smothered.

Peter Till had another good chance for the home side a minute later, but bizarrely his firmly driven shot smacked off the back of Byfield and Sodje allowed the ball to clear. On the half hour, Bury produced a move that stunned many of the travelling supporters.A good headed clearance from Sodje found Bishop on the half way line, he collected the ball on his chest and swept a stunning diagonal ball wide to David Worrall, his first time ball into the box met the head of Robertson but his header flashed well wide of the Walsall goal.

Moments later, another stunning headed clearance from Sodje split the Walsall defence down the middle allowing Andy Bishop to chase, but his first touch saw the ball spill away allowing Gilmartin to clear.Byfield and Deeney combined well from the clearance before Deeney managed to carve out a good shooting chance but another good block from Ben Futcher saw the ball spinning away for a home corner.

Another Bury clearance from the back on 35 minutes saw Bishop flick the ball off his chest to the feet of Robertson, but an offside flag killed the move dead.Virtually the same move a minute later though nearly brought the first goal, Robertson took a touch, got himself into the corner of the box and flashed a good drive into the Walsall side netting.Two minutes later and another good piece of skill and work form Johnson saw him deliver the ball to Andy Bishop on the edge of the box, his quick turn and shot though was just wide of the target.A Bury free kick just before the break saw Barry-Murphy curl the ball over the Walsall wall but unfortunately into the arms of the home keeper.

Half Time:  Walsall 0 Bury 0

Bury started the second period brightly with Bishop and Dawson combining well to get the ball forward, though the move was killed dead as Dawson had strayed into an offside position at the final pass.Another Bury attack five minutes' later saw Robertson clip the ball over a defender to Stephen Dawson, the challenge from McDonald behind him had the Bury players screaming for a penalty but referee Scott was quick to wave away any appeal and Walsall broke, but failed to control the ball allowing Brian Barry-Murphy to deliver it to David Worrall in the corner.His cross found Bishop on the edge of the box but a strong shot was charged down and pushed clear of the box.

Peter Till produced what turned out to be a rare Walsall attack on 61 minutes when he delivered the ball into the box for Troy Deeney, but his headed effort sailed harmlessly over the bar.Perhaps Bury's best effort of the night came from Wayne Brown's goal kick, a quick flick from Bishop had Robertson bearing down on goal, but his crisply struck shot was more or less straight at the keeper and Gilmartin held well.

Stephen Dawson took a shot from well outside the area on 69 minutes after the ball broke kindly for him, his effort again bringing another good stop from the home keeper - who was by now the busier of the two keepers.Simon Johnson also tried a long range effort on 74 minutes that the keeper first spilled but was quick to claim at the second attempt.

Richard Taundy had a good chance on 78 minutes with a crisp shot form outside the box but happily the ball flew high, wide and handsome of the target.Moments later and hearts were in mouths as Peter Till produced an impressive jinking run into the Bury box.Thankfully Wayne Brown charged off his line and narrowed the gap leaving Till to fire the ball into the side netting.

As penalties loomed, Bury had one final half chance with BBM and Richie Baker producing a good move only for Andy Bishop to be flagged offside as he strode forward for the ball.As the final whistle blew, tension rose for the forthcoming penalty shoot out.

Final Score:  Walsall 0 Bury 0

When you see a player with the experience of Sam Parkin stepping up to take the first penalty, you know the outcome - though this time it was the turning point of the night as Parkin's thunderous penalty struck the post and flew away to safety.Bury were never troubled form this point in as the spot kicks continued.Barry-Murphy despatched his into the top left hand corner, Richie Baker placed his into the bottom right hand corner, Andy Bishop into the same corner, Ryan Lowe went for power straight down the middle and the pressure shot fell to player of the season Stephen Dawson who lofted the ball into the roof of the net to hand victory to the Shakers.

A much better performance from the Shakers and a rare cup win for Alan Knill.Defensively strong all night, midfield controlled and created chances for the front two with Simon Johnson in particular impressing many, whilst Bishop and Robertson linked well up front and kept Rene Gilmartin busy for the majority of the game

Final Score:  Walsall 0 Bury 0 (Bury win 5-4 on penalties)

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