Match ends, Bury 2, Tranmere Rovers 1.
Nicky Maynard's ninth goal of the season helped gutsy Bury on their way to a deserved home victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Tranmere.
Rovers certainly played their part, but James Norwood, in particular, was guilty of missing a number of gilt-edged opportunities.
Bury went close early on as defender Chris Stokes nodded inches wide from Nicky Adams' corner-kick.
The hosts threatened again when Maynard forced Rovers' keeper Scott Davies into a smart diving save.
Rovers should then have gone ahead when Norwood somehow scooped Jake Caprice's cross over the top from eight yards.
In first-half stoppage-time, the visitors fluffed a great double chance as Norwood's initial shot was saved by Joe Murphy, with Harris firing the rebound over the top from 10 yards.
Bury broke the deadlock soon after the break when Maynard expertly headed home a precise out-swinging free-kick from winger Adams.
Norwood ought to have levelled after the hour, but he fired over from five yards after meeting Connor Jennings' low cross.
The hosts all-but wrapped up their deserved win in stoppage-time when sub Caolan Lavery drilled home from 20 yards.
Rovers sub Ritchie Sutton headed home even deeper into added time, but Bury hung on.
Match report supplied by the Press Association
Line-ups
Bury
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Murphy
- 4Aimson
- 5Thompson
- 3Stokes
- 7Adams
- 26O'Shea
- 31Danns
- 12Styles
- 21McFadzeanSubstituted forO'Connellat 76'minutes
- 15MooreSubstituted forLaveryat 62'minutes
- 36MaynardSubstituted forTelfordat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Miller
- 6O'Connell
- 8Dawson
- 11Dagnall
- 13Hudson
- 18Telford
- 32Lavery
Tranmere
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Davies
- 14CapriceSubstituted forSmithat 80'minutes
- 16Ellis
- 5McNultySubstituted forSuttonat 42'minutes
- 6Monthe
- 3Ridehalgh
- 11Jennings
- 8Harris
- 12McCullough
- 9MullinSubstituted forStocktonat 54'minutes
- 10Norwood
Substitutes
- 2Buxton
- 4Sutton
- 18Smith
- 20Stockton
- 22Gilmour
- 23George
- 24Bakayogo
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 4,748
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home10
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bury 2, Tranmere Rovers 1.
Goal!
Goal! Bury 2, Tranmere Rovers 1. Ritchie Sutton (Tranmere Rovers) header from the right side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Liam Ridehalgh with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Tranmere Rovers. Conceded by Chris Stokes.
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Attempt blocked. Jay Harris (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Goal!
Goal! Bury 2, Tranmere Rovers 0. Caolan Lavery (Bury) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Dominic Telford.
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Attempt missed. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Luke McCullough (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Eoghan O'Connell (Bury).
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James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Emmanuel Monthe (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Caolan Lavery (Bury).
Substitution
Substitution, Bury. Dominic Telford replaces Nicky Maynard.
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Nicky Maynard (Bury) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jay Harris (Tranmere Rovers).
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Jay O'Shea (Bury) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Johnny Smith replaces Jake Caprice.
Substitution
Substitution, Bury. Eoghan O'Connell replaces Callum McFadzean.
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Will Aimson (Bury) wins a free kick on the right wing.