Hartlepool United 0, Bury 1 (on golden goal rule)
WHEN you've gone twelve games without a victory in the league and cup it's blessed relief to get another under your belt no matter who it's against writes Phil Thorp
On the face of it a 1-0 win against the Nationwide League's 91st club may not be anything to brag about.
But you tell that to Shakers boss Andy Preece and his team who fully deserved to progress into the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy.
When Jon Newby forced home Jason Jarrett's left wing cross to seal an extra time golden goal triumph he looked to the skies in thanks.
It seems a lifetime away from his last one which came in the club's only other win on the first day of the campaign at Tranmere Rovers.
And for most of this tie it looked like being another bad day at the office for Bury who, for all their territorial superiority, couldn't turn their dominance into goals.
Both Harpal Singh and Matt Murphy had efforts cleared off the line while Danny Swailes skimmed the bar with a far post header from an inch perfect ball from Singh.
The home side - buoyed by a rare victory against York City on Saturday - rarely forced Paddy Kenny into a worthwhile save although had youngster Adam Boyd not fired over the bar with the goal completely at his mercy midway through the second half their could have been a different ending to the story.
It was as clear an opportunity as you'd see anywhere, came completely against the run of play and had the effect of giving the Shakers a wake up call as it was one-way traffic from then on.
Goalless at the final whistle, the clever money was on a penalty shootout until Newby came to the rescue.
Another bright spot for Preece's men was the performance of debutant trialist Jamie Stuart who looked a class act in the left back position.
The former England Under-21 international made a mockery of his lack of match fitness with a fine display, as did defender Michael Nelson and Murphy who enjoyed probably his best game for the Shakers so far.
BURY FORMGUIDE: Kenny 7, Nelson 7, Swailes 7, Reid 7, Jarrett 7, Singh 7, Newby 7, STUART 8, Forrest 7, Redmond 7, Murphy 8. Subs not used: Clegg, Syros, O'Shaughnessy, Whiteman and Garner.
ATTENDANCE: 2,190
REFEREE: Mr Graham Laws ( Whitley Bay)
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