BURY bounced back from their second-half slump at Aldershot to knock League One Stockport out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The Shakers are looking to emulate County's promotion last season after making an unbeaten league start and got the better of their neighbours at a sodden Gigg Lane.
County beat League One leaders Oldham last Friday and played the better football but Bury capitalised as the game opened up in the second half, with Andy Bishop heading his seventh goal of the season 13 minutes from time.
The visitors rested Michael Raynes and Peter Thompson, County's goal- scoring heroes from their last two games, yet they still looked a league apart as they played some neat football in the opening stages.
Anthony Pilkington tested Wayne Brown with a long-range strike and Paul Turnbull had a shot blocked after Tommy Rowe and Stephen Gleeson combined well down the County left.
Gleeson then sent a 20-yard effort narrowly over before Bury gradually gained a foothold in the game, with County's on-loan keeper Fraser Forster looking unconvincing on his senior debut.
The hosts finished the half strongly, with Bishop firing narrowly wide after turning Turnbull on the edge of the box, while Forster did well to palm away Richie Baker's close-range effort.
County made a positive start to the second period and Gary Dicker curled a 20-yard effort off target after Leon McSweeney did well to turn Dave Buchanan deep on the County right.
Turnbull then had a low drive deflected agonisingly wide while Pilkington blazed a 25-yard free-kick over.
Bury replied with Forster having to pull off a point-blank save to block Andy Bishop's far-post header, although a free-kick was given against Bury.
Bishop almost scored from a goalmouth scramble after Andy Morrell caught Dicker in possession, while Mike Jones twice fired over after cutting in from the Bury left.
Jones then switched to the right and was found moments later by Bishop, who charged into the box to meet Jones' cross and head home from eight yards.
Bury: Brown 7; Scott 7, Futcher 6, Cresswell 7, Buchanan 6; Bennett 7, Baker 6, Barry-Murphy 7, Jones 7; Bishop 8, Morrell 7 (Hurst 70, 7). Subs: Anane, Haslam, Racchi, Belford.
Stockport: Forster 6; Mullins 6, Tunnicliffe 6, McNulty 7, Rose 7; Pilkington 7 (Baker 70, 6), Dicker 6, Gleeson 7; Turnbull 7, Rowe 8; McSweeney 7 (Vincent 70, 6). Subs: Owen, Taylor, Rigby.
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Todd, heywood (08/10/2008 at 11:12)
Scholesy69, Manchester (08/10/2008 at 12:17)
Scholesy69, Manchester (08/10/2008 at 12:23)
bluephil, Stoke-on-Trent (08/10/2008 at 22:11)
Thomas Castle (20/10/2008 at 13:53)
Attendance:2384
Kick Off: 7.45pm Tuesday 7th October 2008-10-08
Fighting out leadership of League Two with Wycombe after seemingly cruising to a 3-0 away win this Saturday away at Aldershot Bury managed to concede three goals in 10 minutes to draw 3-3.
However, on a cold, wet Tuesday evening In Lancashire the Gigg Lane faithful were rewarded in braving the conditions as Bury deservedly beat Stockport 1-0 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash.
A midfield battle between the two sides ensured both keepers had little to do in the first half. The Pace was strong and Bury looked exciting in attack, but the damp weather meant the ball aquaplaned on the Gigg Lane turf.
The first 20 minutes saw Bury pressuring the Stockport defence with not much outcome. There just wasn’t an end product, even with the elusive Andy Bishop running rings around his worried double markers.
But the battle was always shaded by the Shakers and County looked shaken by the Bury fan’s rendition of “Andy Knills Barmy Army” echoing around the stadium.
One thing is for sure, the support has certainly improved from Bury’s lacklustre performances in last season’s campaign. Endless singing in the cloudy Lancashire night time meant the Shakers vacated the pitch at half time with an air of confidence after numerous attempts at the County goal.
After the break County came out looking strong as the heavens opened once again. But Bury were better in defence with Paul Scott the Shakers No.2 holding back the County attacks in a terrific display at right back.
On the hour mark the pace quickened as both sides began to show a sense of urgency. The fans entertained a good voice with their version of “Land of Hope and Bury” and a balanced and attractive game ensued, with the percentage of possession equal.
A goalmouth scramble in the 67th minute with Andy Bishop in the middle made County reel but again the end product just didn’t connect. Bishop was left looking frustrated at being caught in the offside trap following some god through play from the Bury midfield.
A despondent County finally conceded after a substitution from both teams. Andy Bishop headed home the winner with a superb header from a crossed ball after hitting Stockport on the counter-attack in the 74th minute.
County came back and the remaining minutes of the match saw Bury cowering in defence as a defiant Stockport piled on the pressure. The Bury defence was the backbone on the success and the Shakers held on for a deserved victory.
The win might inspire Bury to a return to form in their League Two promotion push when they host Exeter City on Saturday afternoon while Stockport hope a win away at Southend will send them into the playoffs in League 1
Thomas Castle