A Ryan Lowe penalty lifted Bury up to second in League Two with victory over Shrewsbury at Gigg Lane.

Lowe struck home his 13th goal of the season deep in the second half to give his side a crucial victory in their bid for promotion.

And the win was no more than the home side deserved.

The first half was scoreless but that was an injustice to Bury, who produced wave after wave of attacks.

They could have opened their account in the fourth minute when a ball into the box bobbled up in front of top scorer Lowe but he scuffed his shot.

Captain Stephen Dawson's prompting passes were at the heart of much that was good about Bury's momemtum.

But it was his opposite number Graham Coughlan, who prevented his side going behind when he made a timely clearance from the goalmouth - with Andy Morrell waiting behind him - after Lowe's cross.

Shrewsbury started the second half better and from a corner Sodje had to be alert to prevent Coughlan heading his side in front.

Terry Dunfield then tested Brown with a snap shot from 25 yards that reared up after bouncing in front of the keeper.

Bury had another golden chance to go in front when Michael Jones raced into the box to meet a cross-field ball but lifted it high over the bar.

On 67 minutes Tom Newey did well to win a corner and Paul Scott rose at the back post to power a header goalwards and it was stopped near goal with Bury loudly appealing for a penalty.

But just a minute later Bury got the breakthrough when Dawson drove into the box and was sent sprawling by Kevin McIntyre and the ref pointed to the spot.

And the reliable Lowe sent Button the wrong way with the spot kick high to the keeper's left.

Once they got in front Bury defended like tigers and put bodies on the line when danger was imminent.

The Shakers almost made it 2-0 on 83 minutes when Jones blasted towards the bottom left hand corner but Button pushed the ball away for a corner. And Bishop came close to making the game safe for the Shakers when he was put in by Jones but his effort was palmed away by the keeper.

Bury: Brown 7, Scott 7, Sodje 7, Futcher 8, Newey7; Worrall 7, Dawson 8, Barry-Murphy 7, Jones 7, Lowe 8, Morrell 7. Subs: Buchanan, Hewson, Baker, Bishop, Racchi, Belford, Elliott.

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