A large United contingent had made the trip down the motorway to see if their side could win a second consecutive match following the heartening 2-0 win over Torquay at the weekend. The controversy surrounding Preece had dominated the build-up to the game but he ran out as planned after some early morning negotiations between the two clubs smoothed over the remaining rough edges. Simpson had a free kick blocked inside the first five minutes as the visitors looked to make a positive start. Less than seven minutes in Joe O'Neill went off to be replaced by Gareth Seddon. Glennon was out quickly to deny Glenn Whelan. Moments later Whelan did well to beat Tom Cowan and drive over a dangerous cross that only needed a touch to put the Shakers in front. A Terry Dunfield effort brought a fingertip save from Glennon. There had been few more chances until the 28th minute when Raven tackled Porter and the referee controversially awarded a penalty to the home side. Porter finished from the spot with aplomb to put Bury one-up. Chris Billy then blocked Seddon to receive an obvious yellow card. Then on 33 minutes a through ball saw Seddon outpace McDonagh and advance on goal but the striker fired over the bar with only Glennon to beat. Colin Woodthorpe became the second man booked for a late challenge. Lee Unsworth headed over the bar from a free-kick. A Barrass cross found Seddon's head as the home team continued to dominate. The Cumbrians shocked Bury on 40 minutes when McGill's corner was met by Kevin Gray who headed home past Garner to equalise against the run of the play. Carlisle would have been delighted to have been level pegging at the interval having been outplayed for long spells. Glennon was called into action at the start of the second half when he failed to grab a corner and recovered well to parry away O'Shaughnessy's left foot shot. Preece then put in a cross shot that brought a touch away and a Carlisle corner. Cowan got a touch but the kick came to nothing. United then shook Bury again with 57 minutes elapsed when Preece did brilliantly down the left to beat Barrass and feed the diminutive figure of McGill who sidefooted the visitors in front. Bury immediately applied more pressure as Raven cleared to concede a corner. Bury made a double substitution as they tried to put United under more stress. On 65 minutes teenager Matt Fryatt came off to be replaced by the more experienced Kevin Henderson. Just minutes later it was Preece again doing well to get away down the left and feed Henderson who scored with practically his first touch. Straight away sub Clegg smashed in a loose ball but was adjudged offside. Glennon made a top near-post save to deny O'Shaughnessy. The travelling United fans rose to applaud Preece as he went off to be replaced by Farrell with 13 minutes remaining. Glennon was stranded out of his nets but Seddon missed a virtually open goal that could have put Bury back in it. Connell then missed a very good headed chance as the minutes ticked down. There was also a big ovation for Simpson when he jogged off the heavy pitch to be replaced by Peter Murphy who made his first appearance since October. Billy went close to extending the lead on 83 minutes but the ball was intercepted just in time after a good run and pass by Farrell. Al's verdict: Magnificent. After Torquay it was crucial to follow up with a good result and this was just what the doctor ordered. What a contrast to the dark weeks of defeats when we missed chances and failed to keep our composure. Now we are suddenly knocking them in with five in two games and the signing of Andy Preece seems to be the catalyst. This was nothing like our best display of the season but the difference is we are putting the ball in the net and eventually Bury's resolve was broken. There's real hope now for a big crowd and a positive result against Darlo on Sunday which is still desperately needed, with the gap to safety still 13 points. A good word too for Henderson who came off the bench and scored the clinching goal when his place has been put in doubt by Fryatt's arrival. Great to see lads and keep it up! |
