Carlisle 3 Bury 2 (aet)

THE LDV Vans Trophy may be maligned in some quarters, but the reaction of Bury's players to last night's (Wednesday) golden-goal extra-time defeat at Brunton Park told its own story.

"It's a heartbreaking way to lose," agreed manager Andy Preece after Will McDonagh's deflected goal sent Carlisle through to the Northern final.

Preece said: "I've told the players to remember the feeling they had at the end of the game. I told them to make sure it doesn't happen again and to make sure no-one robs you of getting promotion."

Preece had no complaints of Chris Billy's extra time sending-off for a two-footed lunge at on-loan Bolton youngster, Ryan Baldachino.

Steve Redmond steered a Ritchie Foran effort into his own net after twenty minutes. However, two stunning volleys from Terry Dunfield and George Clegg put the Shakers 2-1 up with just four minutes to go.

Unfortunately a lapse of concentration at the back allowed McDonagh to head home Mark Birch's cross, sending the game into extra time.

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