Bury bring about end of Trophy tilt
CHECKATRADE TROPHY 3RD ROUND ACCRINGTON .............. 2 BURY ............................. 4
ACCRINGTON Stanley were knocked out of the Checkatrade Trophy after suffering a defeat at home to Bury on Tuesday.
The Reds were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Jordan Clark and Billy Kee, but Bury turned things around in the second half to overcome John Coleman’s side.
Stanley were quick out of the blocks in the match and they were able to take the lead after just 10 minutes. Clark received the ball on the edge of the area before curling it past Bury goalkeeper Joe Murphy and into the top corner to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Bury attempted to hit straight back but Stanley were able to defend well to keep out their opponents. Eoghan O’Connell then tried his luck for the visitors, but he volleyed over the crossbar.
It continued to be an end to end affair, with Sean McConville forcing Murphy into two good saves, before Ryan Cooney had a goal-bound shot deflected wide for Bury just after the half hour mark.
Accrington continued to create the better chances in the half and they made their efforts count when they doubled their lead just before half-time. Clark turned provider on this occasion, with his cross finding an unmarked Kee who fired home to register his tenth goal of the campaign and make it 2-0 to Stanley at the break.
Coleman’s men could have had a third at the start of the second half when Clark fired over the crossbar, while Bury captain Adam Thompson headed wide at the other end.
The visitors did manage to pull a goal back on 55 minutes when Dominic Telford netted, with his long range effort going in off the post and beating Stanley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted.
Accrington had been in control of the game, but just two minutes later Bury were on level terms. O’Connell’s initial shot was blocked, but it came out to Nicky Maynard who slotted home to equalise.
Stanley had a golden opportunity to re-take the lead when Mark Hughes had a header from close range on 67 minutes, but the chance went begging as he headed over the bar.
The home side then thought they should have had a penalty for handball, but the referee turned down the protests and Bury took full advantage when they went straight down the other end and scored.
Maynard’s ball into the box was met by Telford, who scored his second goal of the evening to make it 3-2 after 75 minutes.
Accrington threw plenty of bodies forward in the closing stages to try and find a goal, but Bury secured the win late on when Danny Mayor scored from outside of the box to make the final score 4-2 and knock Stanley out of the Checkatrade Trophy.