CHRIS Casper admitted his players were "devastated" after Bury's heartbreaking FA Cup exit at Glanford Parkt.
The Shakers were just three minutes from earning a penalty shootout against their League One hosts. But substitute Tommy Johnson, on as a late extra time substitute, scored the winner that sent Scunthorpe through to a second round tie with Aldershot.
Casper believes ithe goal should never have been awarded. Indeed, Dave Flitcroft was sent-off for protesting referee Alan Woolmer had wrongly given a corner moments before the ex Aston Villa striker fired home from the edge of the area.
"It's difficult to deal with," said Casper.
"The players put so much effort into the game. I thought we more than matched them and had the better of the clear cut chances.
"But I don't think we got the crucial decisions throughout the game and the players feel hard done by."
Matthew Tipton, rather than Johnson, might have been the hero. However, his shot in the 113th minute went the wrong side of the post.
So, Bury's dream of a lucrative cup run is over for another season
However, as Casper says: "If we carry on playing like that we won't go too far wrong."
Match facts: Scunthorpe (4-4-2): Musselwhite, Byrne, Stanton, Butler, Williams, Sparrow (Johnson 105), Baraclough, Hinds, Corden (Taylor 59), Sharp, Keogh; subs not used: Evans, Ridley, Ryan
Bury (4-4-2): Edwards, Scott, Challinor, Woodthorpe, Kennedy, Adams, Flitcroft, Mattis, Buchanan (Fitzgerald 118), Whaley, Reet (Tipton 55); subs not used: Youngs, Quigley, Dootson.
Referee: Alan Woolmer
Attendance: 4,006 (576 from Bury)
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