Late heartbreak sinks Shakers

One minute the Shakers were on their way back to the centre circle celebrating a late, deserved equaliser - the next it was chalked off and Chesterfield rubbed their noses in it by grabbing a second goal in stoppage time.

The decision by referee Mick Fletcher to disallow Michael Nelson's 88th minute 'goal,' after one of his linesmen flagged for an infringement, left Bury boss Andy Preece fuming at the end of an afternoon that clearly left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The substitute headed home after seeing his and skipper Martyn Forrest's initial shots blocked by Chesterfield defenders and as Mr Fletcher signalled a goal Nelson raced up the field bare-chested surrounded by delighted team mates.

But neither the Bury players, or Fletcher, had spotted the raised flag and if the disappointment of that was not enough the sight of Chesterfield striker Jamie Burt racing half the length of the field and cracking a low drive past Paddy Kenny from the edge of the box was too much to take for the Shakers players.

At the final whistle they surrounded the referee in search of an answer to why Nelson's goal was disallowed.

The linesman said Gareth Seddon had impeded a Chesterfield defender from clearing Nelson's effort yet Spireites boss Dave Rushbury reckoned it was for offside - make of that what you will!

Chances were always going to be at a premium in such an important game to both teams with Chesterfield four points above the Shakers prior to kick-off.

And with a howling gale whipping across Saltergate from the Derbyshire hills flowing football was never on the cards.

In the first half, kicking with the wind, the Shakers best chance of making the meteorological advantage tell was a superb 25 yard dipping volley from Jason Jarrett that beat Nathan Abbey in the home goal but cannoned off the crossbar to safety.

After the interval central defender Danny Swailes failed to reappear after suffering knee ligament damage and his place was filled by the unfortunate Nelson.

There was nothing anyone could do about the home side's opening goal which arrived after 58 minutes, Burt glancing in a header past the stranded Kenny.

In the latter stages of the half it was Bury who had the lions share of possession and man-of-the-match George Clegg had a powerful low drive narrowly deflected wide of the post and Seddon had a good call for a penalty waved away when Steve Payne appeared to block his attempt on goal with his arm. "The lads are gutted but they have nothing to be gutted about," declared a seething Preece.

"It was a difficult match because of the conditions and we had to battle hard.

"We deserved a point from the game and instead have come out of it with nothing, that's what really hurts."

BURY: Kenny 6, Unsworth 6, Collins 8, Swailes 7 (Nelson, 45, 6), Hill 6, Seddon 6, Forrest 6, Jarrett 6, Reid 6 (Borley, 70, 6), Clegg 8, Newby 7. Subs not used: Garner, Whiteman and Connell.

Referee: Mr M. Fletcher (Warley) AS an example of just how cruel a game soccer can be the closing minutes of this relegation battle should be recorded for posterity.

One minute the Shakers were on their way back to the centre circle celebrating a late, deserved equaliser - the next it was chalked off and Chesterfield rubbed their noses in it by grabbing a second goal in stoppage time.

The decision by referee Mick Fletcher to disallow Michael Nelson's 88th minute 'goal,' after one of his linesmen flagged for an infringement, left Bury boss Andy Preece fuming at the end of an afternoon that clearly left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The substitute headed home after seeing his and skipper Martyn Forrest's initial shots blocked by Chesterfield defenders and as Mr Fletcher signalled a goal Nelson raced up the field bare-chested surrounded by delighted team mates.

But neither the Bury players, or Fletcher, had spotted the raised flag and if the disappointment of that was not enough the sight of Chesterfield striker Jamie Burt racing half the length of the field and cracking a low drive past Paddy Kenny from the edge of the box was too much to take for the Shakers players.

At the final whistle they surrounded the referee in search of an answer to why Nelson's goal was disallowed.

The linesman said Gareth Seddon had impeded a Chesterfield defender from clearing Nelson's effort yet Spireites boss Dave Rushbury reckoned it was for offside - make of that what you will!

Chances were always going to be at a premium in such an important game to both teams with Chesterfield four points above the Shakers prior to kick-off.

And with a howling gale whipping across Saltergate from the Derbyshire hills flowing football was never on the cards.

In the first half, kicking with the wind, the Shakers best chance of making the meteorological advantage tell was a superb 25 yard dipping volley from Jason Jarrett that beat Nathan Abbey in the home goal but cannoned off the crossbar to safety.

After the interval central defender Danny Swailes failed to reappear after suffering knee ligament damage and his place was filled by the unfortunate Nelson.

There was nothing anyone could do about the home side's opening goal which arrived after 58 minutes, Burt glancing in a header past the stranded Kenny.

In the latter stages of the half it was Bury who had the lions share of possession and man-of-the-match George Clegg had a powerful low drive narrowly deflected wide of the post and Seddon had a good call for a penalty waved away when Steve Payne appeared to block his attempt on goal with his arm.

"The lads are gutted but they have nothing to be gutted about," declared a seething Preece.

"It was a difficult match because of the conditions and we had to battle hard.

"We deserved a point from the game and instead have come out of it with nothing, that's what really hurts."

BURY: Kenny 6, Unsworth 6, Collins 8, Swailes 7 (Nelson, 45, 6), Hill 6, Seddon 6, Forrest 6, Jarrett 6, Reid 6 (Borley, 70, 6), Clegg 8, Newby 7. Subs not used: Garner, Whiteman and Connell.