A late header from DJ Pedro secured a dramatic win for Bury against Wythenshawe Town in the FA Trophy. The win secures the Shakers place in the second qualifying round of the Trophy, for the second time.

Adjudged to have played an ineligible player in the 3-1 win over Wythy Town last week Bury were spared expulsion due to mitigating circumstances but were told the match would have to be replayed. Barely 24 hours on from the FA’s judgement a hastily organised rematch was made at Ericstan Park. Bury would not have been able to prepare the same way they would ahead of the match. The only solace being that the hosts would be similarly inconvenienced. A hardy crowd of Bury fans arrived at Wythenshawe and witnessed one of the floodlights briefly catching fire. Perhaps a symbol of how ill prepared the match was.

Bury made a number of changes to their squad. Down in numbers due to injury and suspension six changes were made. Russell Saunders made his first start of the season between the sticks while Josh Gregory returned to defence and wore the captain’s armband. Tyler James, Regan Riley and Gabe Johnson were brought up from the bench to the starting eleven while Ryan Atkinson a summer signing on loan at Northwich Victoria was recalled to make his Shakers debut.

The threadbare selection didn’t seem to deter those out on the pitch. After an early couple of corners one fell at the far post to Gregory who blasted home the opener to give Bury an early lead.

The visitors ought to have extended their advantage, Tyler James played in by Gabe Johnson beat the offside trap but his shot was well saved by home keeper Will Owen.

Atkinson then Pedro had headers cleared away from a busy Town defence before Saunders charged down a rare home attack clearing the ball away before the attacker could reach it.

Bury’s best chance of a second goal came when James played in Pedro. The Bury forward got round the keeper but forced to shoot quickly and left footed put his effort into the side netting. Later an Atkinson cross found Johnson. He was twice denied by goalkeeper Owen before a Regan Riley shot was deflected out for a corner.

Out of nowhere however the hosts pulled a goal back. In a scramble with Bury centre back Louis Isherwood Wythenshawe forward Kobe McWilliams came out on top and was left with an easy one on one finish to grab the equaliser. Bury protested for the foul on Isherwood in the build up but it fell upon deaf ears.

With only a handful of substitutions to call upon Bury turned to Kieran Glynn at the break and it nearly paid dividends immediately. Playing in James the Bury forward forced another save from Owen. Tyler James would be played in again, this time by Pedro, but lifted the ball over the oncoming Owen and wide of goal.

James skied another good chance while Pedro toe poked a shot wide of the post and Glynn curled in a free kick that just missed the top corner.

Only one side was fighting for the win, the rest of Bury’s outfield substitutes were thrown into the mix with Bobby Carroll and Kai Evans adding to the attack. The second half however was dominated by the gamesmanship of the hosts who never truly looked to win the tie themselves but slow down and blunt the Shakers attack.

Frustration grew in the Bury ranks. In their first visit to Ericstan Park since the fateful playoff final a little over a year ago it was once again 1-1 and heading for a penalty shootout.

Then deep into stoppage time Glynn worked the ball out to fellow substitute Kai Evans, his cross found Pedro who beat his two markers and the goalkeeper to the ball and headed home the winner.

After the restart suddenly it was Wythenshawe who looked the more mobile side and the Bury players were the ones to mysteriously go down with cramp. The Shakers still had just enough time for one last hurrah bringing on first choice goalkeeper Mitch Allen and playing him up front. We might never know the attacking abilities of Bury’s stopper as the full time whistle sounded soon afterwards. The Shakers could once again look forward to the upcoming trip away to Runcorn Linnets in the next round of the FA Trophy.