After exiting the FA Cup at the first attempt at the weekend, Bury make the short trip to Accrington in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. After disposing of two League One sides in Tranmere and Walsall, the Shakers were keen to keep this cup run going. Accrington's notorious financial worries had eased of late, and Stanley were looking forward to their future which could result in a trip to Wembley if their JPT cup run continues.

Accrington made the ideal start to the match with a goal inside the first minute. After winning a corner, Michael Symes rose well to the ball delivered from the left, and sent a skimming ball into the bottom right hand corner with Belford well beaten.

Stanley 1 Shakers 0

A mistake from Paul Scott on nine minutes saw Grant take full advantage and run forward with the ball, eventually squaring to Joyce who shot from close range, forcing a strong save from Belford. A neat pass down the right wing from Jones set up Buchanan on the right of the box on 12 minutes; he crossed to Dawson as he ran into the box, sending his shot over the bar.

A cheeky flick from Buchanan on the right wing on 22 minutes gave Racchi the opportunity to cross into a reasonably empty penalty box. It was the result of some good linking play from Bury who had worked hard since conceding early to keep in the game. Ryan Lowe had run onto some dangerous backpasses from Stanley but it was clear he was waiting for a real chance on goal.

Ryan Lowe chased down another backwards ball on 25 minutes, pressuring Kempson to put the ball out of play for a Bury throw in. Newey took it, throwing to Scott who took a long range shot only to see it go well over the bar. Symes worked hard on 33 minutes, running at the Bury defence before winning a corner, which was eventually cleared by Racchi.

Stanley doubled their lead with five minutes of the first half left after Symes latched onto the ball front Grant in the box and shot from close range on the right of the box.

Stanley 2 Shakers 0

Bury decreased Accrington's lead by one moments later after Lowe failed to latch onto the loose ball in the Accrington box. He sent a curling shot into the net from just inside the box with what seemed like an effortless finish.

Stanley 2 Shakers 1

Bury continued to press in the closing stages of the half, with Dawson, Lowe and Jones powering forward. Dawson managed a shot from just inside the box but it was well wide.

Two minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to step up their game. Buchanan was left with acres of space on the right before crossing to Dawson at the near post. His volley forced a brilliant reaction save from Dunbavin in the Stanley net, and the ball went out for a corner.

The referee soon called time on a first half that was initially eventful with an early goal, but which slowed somewhat in the middle stages as Bury tried to get a foothold on the game, and which ended with a busy five minutes which saw two goals within 60 seconds, one for either side.Accrington had seemed to be taking the game to Bury, and this looked even more certain after doubling their lead on 40 minutes, but Bury weren't giving up. It may have taken them some time to get going, but the Shakers worked hard for their reward less than a minute later with a neat goal for Racchi, and they looked set to come out fighting in the second half.

Half Time - Stanley 2 Shakers 1

Bury made the ideal start to the second half by bringing things level. Racchi was left with space on the left on 47 minutes, who then crossed to Dawson on the edge of the box. He controlled the ball well before passing the Jones in front of goal who finished off all the neat build up play by hammering the ball past Dunbavin.

Stanley 2 Shakers 2

Substitution for Bury on 56 minutes - Andy Morrell on for Ryan Lowe

Jones and Dawson both pressured Dunbavin on 61 minutes as he came out to gather a ball, but neither succeeded in dispossessing him. Moments later, Dawson was fouled just outside the box after capitalising on a defensive error from Stanley which saw Dunbavin well out of his box. Proctor had no choice but to bring Dawson down as he paced towards the box, receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

Yellow card for Accrington on 62 minutes - Andrew Proctor

Symes made space for himself on the left on 64 minutes, crossing low to Grant just inside the box who forced an acrobatic save from Belford. Moments later and Dawson was sprinting forward yet again before being brought down by Miles who also received a booking. The resulting free kick was taken by BBM and curled narrowly wide of the left post.

Yellow card for Accrington on 66 minutes - John Miles

Yellow card for Bury on 71 minutes - Ben Futcher

Morrell came close to taking the lead for Bury on 73 minutes after Jones had won a corner for BBM to take. BBM sent it deep into the box before it was headed back across the box towards Morrell who somehow managed to put it wide. Both sides were eager to find the winning goal and avoid penalties to finalise the result.

Accrington took the lead for the third time on 82 minutes after Grant finished from close range after a low cross from the right from James Ryan. Bury might feel aggrieved after a much better second half performance which saw them competing for every ball and bringing the scoreline level, but Stanley took their chance when it was there.

Stanley 3 Shakers 2

Substitution for Bury on 86 minutes - Richie Baker on for BBM

Bury came close to bringing things level for the third time as three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official. The ball was trickling perilously close to the goal line before it was cleared off the line for a Bury ball.

The referee called time on an eventful game as Accrington took their corner short and kept the ball in the corner to run the clock down. Bury had played a much better game in the second period and might feel unlucky to not taken the game to penalties if not take the win, but it's Stanley who go through to the northern semi-final of the competition. Bury now have the task of playing big-spending Notts County at Gigg Lane at the weekend, and league form is the priority now both all cup campaigns are over.

Full Time - Stanley 3 Shakers 2

Attendance - 1637