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Cherries first up for Bury

BURY begin their 2009/2010 League Two campaign against Bournemouth at home on August 8.

That game is followed by Darlington (away), Hereford (away), Grimsby (home) and then the big one against Rochdale (away) on August 29 in an action packed first month.

Bury draw Baggies in cup

BURY have been handed a tough home tie against West Brom in next season's Carling Cup first round.

The Baggies, relegated from the Premier League last season, are sure to provide stiff opposition at Gigg Lane, but it will be a good test for Alan Knill's resurgent side.

Knill cools Swans speculation

ALAN Knill has shrugged off speculation linking him with the manager’s job at Swansea and insisted: “I am happy at Bury and am certainly not looking to leave.”

Swansea, a club that Knill served with distinction as a player between 1987 and 1989, is the second Championship outfit that the media has linked him with in recent weeks.

Bury: Season player ratings

WE run the rule over Bury's players for their performance in the 2008/2009 season.

Shakers' double swoop

BURY are poised to sign forwards Ryan Lowe from Chester and Danny Carlton from Carlisle.

Lowe, aged 30, was relegated Chester's top scorer in League Two last season with 18 goals. He came through the ranks at Crewe.

Knill shuffles Shakers squad

BURY have released Glynn Hurst, Paul Morgan and Steve Haslam.

But big centre-back Ben Futcher will be staying for another 12 months after a clause in his contract was activated. Richie Baker, Danny Racchi and Cameron Belford have all been offered new contracts.

Bury 0 Shrewsbury 1 (1-1 on agg, Shrewsbury win 4-3 on pens)

BRAVE Bury saw their promotion dream shattered in the cruellest fashion on an afternoon of high drama at Gigg Lane.

The Shakers, who finished just one goal short of automatic promotion, were two minutes from the League Two play-off final as they still held a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

Knill backs battling Bury

BURY are out to prove their doubters wrong yet again by booking a ticket to Wembley.

The Shakers are just 90 minutes away from their first trip to the home of English football since 1995 - having claimed a surprise first-leg advantage in their play-off semi-final against Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury 0 Bury 1

BURY took a giant step towards Wembley as Neil Ashton's late own goal handed the Shakers a crucial away win.

Bury keeper Wayne Brown denied Shrewsbury with a string of fine saves before Ashton misjudged a backpass 10 minutes from time.

Preview: Shrewsbury v Bury

ALAN Knill hopes his lucky pants prove more successful at Shrewsbury tonight than on the agonising final day of the league campaign.

The Bury boss is expected to be sporting his trademark tracksuit bottoms for the first-leg of the League Two play-off semi-final at the New Meadow as the Shakers aim to take a giant step to Wembley and their first promotion in 12 years.

Shakers pipped at post

ALAN Knill has begun the task of picking up his Bury players from the heartache of missing automatic promotion by a whisker.

After nine months and 46 matches of a gruelling league campaign, just one goal denied the Shakers a top-three finish.

Bury 1 Accrington 0

BURY have been forced to settle for the League Two play-offs after an agonising final day saw the Shakers miss out on automatic promotion by just one goal.

Alan Knill's men began the day within reach of both Exeter and Wycombe, and a first promotion in 12 years.

And with the game goalless and Wycombe surprisingly losing at home to Notts County, Bury launched a dramatic finale.

Preview: Bury v Accrington

ALAN Knill insists Bury can cope with the final-day drama at Gigg Lane and seal the club's first promotion in 12 years.

An 11-match unbeaten run has put Bury on the brink of the top three and they host Accrington knowing they must better Exeter's result at Rotherham or have another shot via the play-offs.

"It's an excellent run and it's just taking it into the last game," said Knill. "Now, we've just got to approach it as we've done all season, which is be positive and try to win the game.

Knill's praise for Dawson

MANAGER Alan Knill has hailed the part Stephen Dawson has played in pushing Bury to the brink of promotion.

FC plot stadium move

FC UNITED hope to move into their own ground in Manchester in two years’ time.

The Rebels have signed an extension to their ground-share deal with Bury which lasts until 2011 – and by then the Unibond League club is planning to have built its own stadium.

Shakers set for day of reckoning

THE Shakers will be shaking on Saturday as Bury get set for an afternoon of high anxiety at Gigg Lane.

An outstanding season will come down to 90 minutes against Accrington Stanley as Alan Knill's bids to lead the club to their first promotion in 12 years.

Gillingham 0 Bury 0

BURY will head into the final day of the season one point outside the automatic promotion places after being forced to settle for a 0-0 draw at Gillingham.

The hosts needed victory to maintain their automatic hopes and looked the likeliest winners on a nervy afternoon in Kent.

Preview: Gillingham v Bury

ALAN Knill takes his Bury side to Gillingham knowing victory would put them on the verge of something special.

Bury have been languishing in the lower reaches of League Two for the last five seasons but this term have secured a play-off place with two games to spare.

A win in Kent could send the Shakers into the top three, though, and within 90 minutes of their first promotion in 12 years.

Futcher ready for a fight

DEFENDER Ben Futcher anticipates another dramatic finale to the season as Bury aim to clinch automatic promotion from League Two.

The Shakers lie just one point outside the top three with two games left and face a nervy trip to fifth-placed Gillingham on Saturday.

Crunch time for Bury

WHILE Bury are assured of the play-offs, they have set their sights firmly on claiming a top-three finish.

Saturday's 3-0 win over Macclesfield stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches - and just two defeats in 20 - putting them on the cusp of the automatic promotion places.

Sodje switches to automatic

EFE Sodje is ready to stick the knife into former club Gillingham and put Bury on the brink of promotion.

The Nigerian defender is dreaming of scoring the winning goal at Priestfield on Saturday in game that could prove pivotal in Bury's hopes of avoiding the playoffs.

Bury 3 Macclesfield 0

GLYNN Hurst scored twice as Bury kept up the pursuit for automatic promotion.

But even in defeat Macclesfield still managed to secure their league status for another season.

Preview: Bury v Macc

BURY boss Alan Knill expects Macclesfield to be determined to play the role of party poopers at Gigg Lane.

The Shakers go into the game outside the top three on goal difference and two of their last three matches are at home to lowly opposition.

Bury host another local rival in Accrington for the final game of the season, though, and Knill believes they and Macc will relish the opportunity to derail the Shakers' promotion dream.

Darlington 2 Bury 2

BURY slipped out of the top three after Darlington twice came from behind to clinch a 2-2 draw.

Glynn Hurst put the Shakers into an eighth-minute lead before Jason Kennedy scored a 38th-minute equaliser for Darlington.

Efe Sodje headed Bury back in front seven minutes after the restart but Pawel Abbott levelled with 16 minutes left to deny Alan Knill's men a potentially crucial two pooints in the promotion race.

Bury 2 Shrewsbury 1

BURY piled the pressure on their promotion rivals by beating Shrewsbury 2-1 to climb into second place.

There was only one other League Two fixture on Good Friday and Alan Knill's men took advantage with a late winner from substitute Glynn Hurst sending the Shakers two points clear of Wycombe and Exeter.

On-loan striker Phil Jevons gave Bury an undeserved half-time lead and although Nick Chadwick, a January target for Knill, equalised in the 55th minute, Hurst pounced 10 minutes from time.

Buchanan's double mission

DAVE Buchanan is aiming to end his four-year goal drought in a bid to help Bury secure promotion.

The left-back has scored for the reserves and the Northern Ireland Under-21s and although he is yet to score in 166 first-team appearances for Bury, he's been getting closer in recent weeks.

Initially a midfielder, he likes to get forward and it was his cross that picked out Elliott Bennett to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Port Vale on Saturday.

Shakers still look worth a flutter

BURY galloped to another away point and look a good bet to stay the course in this season's promotion race.

Having languished in the lower reaches of League Two for the last four years, the Shakers started the season as rank outsiders just like Mon Mome.

Port Vale 1 Bury 1

BURY'S promotion dream remains on course after they claimed a hard- fought draw at Port Vale.

The Shakers fell behind to a 57th-minute goal by James Lawrie but showed real spirit to grab a 68th-minute equaliser through Elliott Bennett, who was by far Bury's busiest player.

Preview: Port Vale v Bury

BURY'S night with the stars on Sunday has brought an extra buzz around Gigg Lane this week, although it's not as if they needed it.

Manager Alan Knill, captain Paul Scott and top-scorer Andy Bishop presented Radcliffe-born director Danny Boyle with his latest movie award in London before returning to prepare for tomorrow's trip to Port Vale.

The Shakers are second with six games left and while promotion to League One would hardly make them regulars on the celebrity circuit, Scott is determined to complete the job.

Shakers hit red carpet

BURY captain Paul Scott returned to reality this week after mixing it with Hollywood A-listers down in London.

The Shakers swapped the grind and grit of their League Two promotion battle for the glitz and glamour of the Empire Awards to present Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle with his latest accolade on Sunday.

Morrell's touch of quality

ALAN Knill's in for a few more nervy afternoons before the season is out.

The Bury manager watched his side edge a tense encounter with Bournemouth on Saturday to move into the automatic promotion places in League Two.

Bury 1 Bournemouth 0

ANDY Morrell fired Bury to their first win in five games and up to second place in League Two.

Alan Knill’s side moved to within five points of leaders Brentford after Morrell’s strike saw off Bournemouth.

The striker’s ninth goal of the season came 10 minutes after half time and ended a sequence of four straight draws for the Shakers to see them jump into the automatic promotion places.

Preview: Bury v Bournemouth

BURY Boss Alan Knill has boosted his squad for the home clash against Bournemouth with the loan signing of Hull midfielder John Welsh.

The former Liverpool trainee, 25, has not made a first-team appearance for Hull this season but spent a month on loan at Carlisle.

Welsh joins loan striker Phil Jevons in bolstering Bury's promotion push.

Knill backs wing duo

BURY boss Alan Knill insists he has no fear of burn-out from his wing wizards Elliott Bennett and Mike Jones.

The youngsters have been the driving force behind Bury's promotion push and, along with left-back Dave Buchanan, are the Shakers' only ever-presents.

Rotherham 1 Bury 1

EFE Sodje's injury-time equaliser salvaged a point for promotion-chasing Bury and stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Reuben Reid's 83rd-minute penalty looked to have snatched victory for Rotherham, but Sodje's last-gasp header ensured the point.

Preview: Rotherham v Bury

ON-LOAN striker Phil Jevons could make his Bury debut against Rotherham tonight.

The Shakers have drawn their last three games and have brought in the experienced 29-year-old from Huddersfield.

"We could have had plenty of young kids but at this stage of the season you need somebody that's been there and done it, and Phil fits the bill perfectly," said Bury boss Knill.

Jevons heads to the Lane

STRIKER Phil Jevons arrives at Gigg Lane today on a month's loan from Huddersfield after watching 10-man Bury denied by a last-minute equaliser.

Andy Morrell broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time but Ryan Cresswell was sent off within two minutes of the restart.

Bury 1 Chester 1

BRAVE Bury saw their promotion bid dealt a blow as Chester snatched a last-gasp equaliser to deny them two valuable points.

The Shakers had spent almost the entire second half with 10 men after Ryan Cresswell was sent off for a professional foul.

Andy Morrell's header on the stroke of half-time looked like it would be enough for the win but Ryan Lowe struck at the death to break Bury hearts.

Preview: Bury v Chester

GOALKEEPER Wayne Brown has urged his Bury team-mates to play through the pain barrier in their bid to secure promotion.

Top scorer Andy Bishop has a knee problem while Andy Morrell has had four stitches in a gash he suffered last week but is available for the visit of lowly Chester.

"There's a lot of players playing with injuries but the boys have just got to go through the pain and get on with it," said Brown. "There's only nine games left and we want to go up automatically."

Knill salutes Shakers effort

BURY boss Alan Knill was satisfied with a point at Sincil Bank despite playing against 10 men for the second half.

Ben Wright gave Lincoln a deserved 30th-minute lead before the Shakers struggled to score after Anthony Elding's straight red card for elbowing Ryan Cresswell.

It took until the 82nd minute for Andy Bishop to equalise with his 16th goal of the season but Bury were unable to find a late winner that would have really boosted their promotion hopes.

Lincoln 1 Bury 1

BURY remain fourth in League Two despite being unable to break down 10-man Lincoln at Sincil Bank.

Ben Wright gave the hosts a deserved lead in the 30th minute before the Imps had Anthony Elding sent off on the stroke of half-time for elbowing.

Ryan Cresswell was booked for pushing the former Stockport striker and an angry exhcange erupted on the touchline after Elding clashed with the Bury dug-out on his way off. Andy Bishop equalised with his 16th goal of the season in the 82nd minute and although the Shakers failed to find a late winner, other results went their way.

Preview: Lincoln v Bury

BURY boss Alan Knill is relishing the challenge ahead as the promotion race hots up with the trip to Lincoln.

The Shakers slipped out of the top three after drawing 0-0 at Morecambe but with Wycombe visiting leaders Brentford, victory could send them second.

"We've 10 games left, there's lots to play for and I must admit, I'm finding it really exciting. I'm kicking and heading everything," said Knill.

Knill challenge to Shakers

MANAGER Alan Knill has urged Bury to grasp their promotion dream.

The Shakers have been in contention all season and have just 10 games left following Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Morecambe. That allowed Rochdale to regain the third automatic promotion placebut Knill's men showed against the Shrimpers they are up for the challenge.

Morecambe 0 Bury 0

BURY slipped back down into the play-off places after being held to a goalless draw at Morecambe.

The Shakers laid siege on the home goal in the second half but were unable to follow up Saturday's win over Rochdale, allowing Dale to regain the third automatic promotion spot.

Preview: Morecambe v Bury

MANAGER Alan Knill is calling on Bury's fans to cheer the high-flying Shakers to promotion.

Bury beat Rochdale 2-1 in front of a bumper 7,589 crowd at Gigg Lane on Saturday to go into the third automatic promotion spot in League Two.

Ahead of tonight's trip to Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe, Knill said: "It is incredible there were 5,000 of our own supporters here. Now we hope they stay."

Knill delight at derby win

BURY boss Alan Knill paid tribute to his wing wizards after the Shakers leapfrogged fellow promotion chasers Rochdale at Gigg Lane.

Wide men Elliott Bennett and Mike Jones both scored to send Bury back up into third place with Rochdale sliding back to fifth.

Bury 2 Rochdale 1

BURY leapfrogged promotion rivals Rochdale after a defensive howler by visiting defender Simon Ramsden and a touch of magic from Shakers winger Mike Jones.

The hosts went ahead when Ramsden sold keeper Frank Fielding short with a backpass and Bury winger Elliott Bennett's charge down looped into the net.

The Shakers extended their lead when Jones finished a fine move after being sent through by Andy Bishop. Buckley scored an injury-time consolation for Dale.

Preview: Bury v Rochdale

BURY boss Alan Knill is not even bothering to pretend that Saturday's high-noon showdown with Rochdale is just another game.

Knill's first derby in charge last April saw two red cards in a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane while another hard-fought affair at Spotland earlier this season also finished 1-1.

Knill: Shake off jitters

ALAN Knill hopes Bury have got their promotion jitters out the way early as they head into the home straight.

The Shakers were out of sorts in the first-half as they lost 2-1 at home to Chesterfield on Tuesday to suffer their second straight defeat.

Bury 1 Chesterfield 2

Bury's promotion hopes were dealt another blow as 10-man Chesterfield hung on to condemn the Shakers to a second straight defeat.

Aaron Downes stunned the Shakers with a soft second-minute opener before Jack Lester scored a superb second in the 40th minute.

Preview: Bury v Chesterfield

MANAGER Alan Knill has urged Bury supporters to pack Gigg Lane to the rafters as the promotion race hots up this week.

The Shakers host Chesterfield tonight and then face a derby on Saturday with Rochdale, who climbed above Bury into the top three at the weekend.

Brentford were buoyed by their biggest crowd of the season (6,597) as they beat the Shakers 1-0 on Saturday and Knill hopes to benefit from some bumper gates at Gigg Lane too.

Shakers left seething

ALAN Knill could only wonder what might have been after some curious refereeing decisions forced Bury to return from the capital empty-handed.

Victory would have sent the Shakers level with league leaders Brentford - and they were adamant they had scored when Andy Morrell flicked Mike Jones' corner goalwards in the 31st minute.

However Phil Crossley and his assistant ruled that the ball did not cross the line.

Brentford 1 Bury 0

BURY'S eight-match unbeaten run came to an end as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at League Two leaders Brentford.

The Shakers were adamant they had forced the ball in from a Mike Jones corner in the 31st minute, only for Marcus Bean to break the deadlock six minutes before the break.

And Bury's hopes of mounting a comeback were dashed when Stephen Dawson, who had put in a typically tireless performance, was shown a second yellow card with 20 minutes left.