Bury vs. Tranmere - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Gigg Lane

Following their long trip to Torquay at the weekend, Bury had maintained their unbeaten league record, stretching it to four games. Tonight was the task of the second round of the JPT competition, which the Shakers had qualified for after their win on penalties at Walsall. The ability to beat League One teams was definitely evident, and the recent run of impressive form and confidence gave Bury to mentality that anyone could beat anyone. Tranmere arrived at Gigg Lane after a well documented run of poor form, including a 5-0 thrashing away at Millwall the previous week. Manager John Barnes' job seemed to be hanging in the balance, with tonight's match being a possible sink or swim 90 minutes.

GOAL! Tranmere took the lead after only four minutes, as Curran made the best of a slick forward ball, and took a shot from an acute angle to beat Brown at the near post. After heavy downpours throughout the day, it became clear that the ball was hard to handle, and it wasn't the best start for Bury off the back of four decent performances.

Bury 0 Tranmere 1

Baker fired well over on 14 minutes following a good run forward from Dawson and Elliot combined set him up running onto the ball from just outside the area. The obstruction of the Tranmere players in front of him was enough for him to fire harmlessly over the bar. A slick curling cross from Racchi on the right on 16 minutes was spilled by Daniels in the Tranmere goal, leaving the ball for Jones, who passed back to Dawson only to see his strong shot go just over the bar.

Former Bury loanee John Welsh tested Wayne Brown in the Bury net on 18 minutes with an effort from the edge of the box; his curling effort went just wide of the left post with Brown diving to cover. Some good linking play in midfield from Dawson and Racchi saw Buchanan set up on the right wing on 20 minutes. Buchs sent in a nippy cross which looked destined for Elliot in front of goal, but the slippery surface saw Elliot fall into the ball rather than control it, leaving it free for Daniels to claim.

Bain made space for himself on the left on 24 minutes, showing off with his pace by beating Cresswell and teeing up a shot from outside the box that went wide.

Curran made another fast run down the right wing on 42 minutes, beating Cresswell again, but instead of controlling his shot as per his goal, he over-struck the ball, sending it well over the bar. One minute of additional time was indicated the fourth official as the first half seemed to fizzle out. After the initial excitement of the early goal, and Bury's response, the first half had become a case of either side trying to keep possession on a tricky surface.

Half Time - Bury 0 Tranmere 1

Substitution for Bury on 46 minutes - BBM on for Richie Baker

Barnett provided Curran with an excellent chance to double his and Tranmere's tally on 47 minutes after firing in a speedy cross straight to his head directly in front of goal. Brown made a fantastic save to block the point blank header and keep hold of the ball in the process. Elliot had a good chance to bring things level on 48 minutes after taking the ball forward on the right of the box. He struck it with force only to see it go wide of the right post.

GOAL! Bury brought things level on 54 minutes with some fantastic linking play from Jones and Worrall. Worrall had timed his run forward perfectly to beat the offside trap and capture the cheeky looping ball from Jones. Worrall was the one on one with Daniels, who he then rounded, and then had the simple task of putting the ball into an open net.

Bury 1 Tranmere 1

Worrall nearly made it two for himself and for the Shakers on 56 minutes after receiving a beautifully placed cross-field ball from Cresswell, and running down the left wing. He then cut inside, teeing up a shot from outside the box which curled narrowly wide.

Substitute for Tranmere on 57 minutes - Ian Thomas-Moore on for Kitson Bain

Substitute for Tranmere on 63 minutes - Ryan Fraughan on for Seb Carole

Bury won a free kick on the left wing on 73 minutes after a foul on Worrall. Racchi took the free kick, sending a curling ball deep into the box towards the far post. No players made contact though, giving Tranmere a goal kick. A corner from Mahon on 76 minutes teed up Goodison with a golden chance to put Tranmere back in front; he rose well to a high ball only to send his close range header against the post.

GOAL! Michael Jones extended his goal tally with ten minutes remaining, with a goal against his former club. A cheeky header forward from Jones saw Elliot played onside, and after running down the left wing and cutting inside the box, he squared to Jones who had the pace of a forward run on his side, finishing the shot with style and putting Bury into the lead.

Bury 2 Tranmere 1

Four minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury tried to run the clock down by holding possession and keeping Tranmere pinned in midfield. After Tranmere keeper Luke Daniels had come up for a Tranmere corner and the ball was cleared by Bury, Racchi connected with the long ball and tried to beat Daniels back to the open net. Racchi might have left it too late as he tried to round the last defender and the keeper, only to see his resulting shot hit the side netting from an acute angle. Tranmere's last chance to grab an equaliser came deep into stoppage time after winning a free kick on the right hand side of the box, but the Bury defence ran forward to render all the Tranmere players offside.

Soon after the free kick, the referee called time on an interesting second half. Tranmere had been a consistently good side, and took their early lead in their stride. Bury struggled with the wet surface in the first half but had improved after the break. Worrall and Jones had ran riot upfront, causing the Tranmere defence plenty of problems, whilst Brown had been kept on his toes in the Bury net, and Buchanan had been tired out keeping up with the wingers.

Ultimately, Bury avoided the daunting possibility of penalties by taking their chances when they had them, and what a goal it was from Michael Jones! Keeping up that form is important as Bury return to Gigg Lane at the weekend in the league game against Northampton.

Full Time - Bury 2 Tranmere 1

Attendance - 1903 (439 visitors)