Alfreton Town, Sat 10th Oct, 3:00PM (A)
DJ Pedro was once again the hero coming off the bench to score a brilliant lobbed goal in the 88th minute away at Alfreton Town, the hard fought 3-2 win the perfect antidote to Bury’s recent away day troubles.
After the tough loss away to Stockton Town Bury made three changes to the team. DJ Pedro had a welcome return to the bench after six weeks out injured.
Looking to make amends from midweek the Shakers came out of the blocks quickly. A James Neild cross was glanced wide by Owen Robinson in an early chance.
It was Rustam Stepans who gave the visitors the lead. Taking a free kick from a tight angle near the corner flag. His ball into the box stayed low, eluded the defence and landed into the far corner of the goal.
Bury quickly doubled their lead. From a counterattack a Tom Carr shot was deflected out for a corner. From the resulting set piece Louis Isherwood was hauled down at far post and the referee pointed to the spot. Owen Robinson who had announced a new contract extension pre match celebrated the event by scoring the penalty.
Bury looked in control during the first half Stepans, Robinson and Neild in particular looked sharp on the Bury right wing. When the home side did create a chance, Kasper Williams flicking a header goalwards, Mitch Allen was on hand to produce a super save.
The Shakers wouldn’t get into the halftime break with a clean sheet however. A simple ball over the top to Alfreton centre forward Siya Ligendza allowed him to finish well grabbing a goal back for the hosts.
It seemed to shake Bury’s confidence and after the break they looked nervous and off the pace. They struggled to keep possession and every long ball forward by Alfreton threatened an equaliser.
The visitors did have chances, a Robinson shot was deflected wide and Stepans arriving at the last second to meet a Kai Evans cross put his diving effort onto the post.
Those missed chances came back to haunt them. A minute after seeing their chance hit the post Bury were brought back to 2-2. Ligendza pulled the ball from the byline Daniel Odunaiya who slammed in the equaliser.
Pegged back and undoubtedly on the ropes the last minutes of the match passed slowly. It seemed Anthony Johnson’s 800th match in management would at best end in an uneasy draw.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man DJ Pedro on as a substitute was allowed the time and space to loft a ball over the head of Reds keeper Alfie Roberts with a volley and into the goal for the Bury winner.
Pedro ran the full length of the pitch through teammates’ and coaches’ celebrations into the arms of the delirious Shakers away support.
View lineups and more in our match centre.
Match highlights to follow
Post match interviews to follow
