BURY 2 TORQUAY UTD 1: TWELVE months have elapsed since Dave Nugent scored his last goal for Bury, but Good Friday's winner brought relief not just to him, but to everyone connected with the Shakers.
Because the three points gained from the victory over Leroy Rosenior's high-flying Torquay side took Graham Barrow's men above the accepted 50-point barrier that should stave off relegation.
It was a triumph that was well deserved, as once again for the sixth time
this season the Shakers won after going a goal behind.
The visitors, looking to force themselves into the automatic promotion places, took the lead on the half hour through their highly-rated Scottish striker David Graham.
The former Rangers player scored the winning goal in the Gulls 1-0 victory at Gigg last season, and when he cut inside from the right and curled a fine left foot effort that found the net off the post,the 366 travelling Torquay
fans must have had feelings of dj vu.
But their elation didn't last long as five minutes later the Shakers were level.
Left winger Harpal Singh, who was at his lively best, showed his trickery on the edge of the box before being unceremonially brought down.
Dave Flitcroft played the subsequent free-kick to the far post where Gareth Seddon headed home despite desperate attempts to clear off the line by the Torquay defence.
Five minutes later, from the same position, Seddon inexplicably hooked the ball over the bar when another header would have been the better option as the Shakers took control of the match.
The home side were enjoying their best spell of the half and they must have been frustrated when referee Mr Penn blew for the interval.
The Shakers earned their first corner after 54 minutes when a long throw by the on-loan Dave Challinor was met by Torquay central defender Craig Taylor, and keeper Kevin Dearden was happy to push the goalbound deflection for a
flag kick.
After 65 minutes Seddon was denied a second goal by the referees assistant's flag for offside but the home fans were back out of their seats for real a minute later when their side took the lead.
There seemed little danger when Nugent picked up the ball just outside the box on the right, but he dipped his shoulder and unleashed a fine left foot effort that flew past Deardens right hand.
The young Scouser could have added to his tally five minutes from time when he cannoned the ball off the post after being released in front of goal by Singh.
When the ball broke it found substitute Paul O'Shaughnessy who could only fire wide from the edge of the box.
In their desperation the visitors launched numerous high balls into the Bury box but the defence coped with all they had to offer and goalkeeper Glyn Garner had a relatively easy time of it.
But the reaction of manager Barrow at the final whistle said it all as he raced half the length of the field to embrace the influential Challinor on his final game before returning to Stockport.
BURY FORMGUIDE:Garner 7, Swailes 7, Challinor 8, Woodthorpe 7, Barrass 7,
Kennedy 7, Dunfield 8, Singh 7, Flitcroft 8, Seddon 7 (OShaughnessy 76),
Nugent 8 (Porter 89). Subs not used: Whaley, Cartledge and Solly.
REFEREE: Mr A. M. Penn (West Midlands)
ATTENDANCE: 2,770
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