An 89th-minute penalty save from Mitch Allen secured the win in a back and forth 3-2 victory for Bury over Curzon Ashton.

Coming into their first home match of the season Bury made a slow start and were immediately put under pressure by the visitors. A misplaced pass from Oscar Threlkeld allowed Tony Weston an early chance, but Allen produced a smart save. Curzon continued to press, with Alex Curran going firing narrowly wide.

The Shakers’ first opening came through a Rustam Stepans free-kick that was tipped away by Curzon goalkeeper Aiden Dowling. Gradually, Bury began to gain control, enjoying more possession and pushing the visitors back. Stepans and James Melhado caused problems from wide areas, while Leo Graham’s deliveries from set-pieces repeatedly threatened. One Graham corner found Threlkeld, whose header was cleared off the line.

The breakthrough arrived when another Graham corner caused confusion in the box and Tom Carr poked home Bury’s first goal of the new season.

Despite their improvement, Bury went into the interval behind. On 40 minutes, a poor clearance fell to a Curzon midfielder and the ball was worked to Weston, whose shot found the net despite Allen getting a hand to it. Then, just before half-time, Curran won possession outside the Bury area and fed Weston, who fired in off the near post to make it 2-1.

Anthony Johnson turned to his bench in the second half, introducing Mo Touray, Luca Navarro and Kai Evans as Bury searched for a response. The changes paid off within five minutes. Evans delivered an excellent cross from the left and Touray powered home a header to level the scores.

Bury suddenly found momentum. Owen Robinson saw a shot deflected wide, while Dowling produced fine saves to deny Stepans and Evans. From the resulting corner of Evans’ chance Graham delivered once more and James Neild’s looping header restored Bury’s lead.

Curzon pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages. The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute. Weston stepped up looking to complete his hat-trick, but Allen dived to his left to make a vital save and preserve all three points for the Shakers.