Spot-kick sickener for Shakers

SHAKERS fans can concentrate on finishing off their Christmas shopping a week tomorrow after the club's interest in the FA Cup ended in misery on Tuesday night.

A dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat means Lincoln City will travel to Brisbane Road to take on their Third Division rivals Leyton Orient.

But Andy Preece's men have only themselves to blame for not overcoming an Imps side who were hardly world-beaters.

Saturday's goal hero Jon Newby learned just how quick footballing fortune can change when he crucially missed an extra time penalty kick that would surely have earned Bury a passage into round two and - importantly - a cheque for £20,000.

And to add insult to injury he repeated his feat in the shootout when Imps 'keeper Alan Marriott guessed correctly and made a replica save when the Bury striker placed his kick in the opposite corner.

For an FA Cup-tie, the game lacked the passion usually typified by the "greatest soccer competition in the world."

And it was the Shakers' lack of urgency from the kick-off that set the tone for the 120 minutes.

First blood went to the visitors after 33 minutes when Lee Thorpe sent Dave Cameron away down the right flank.

The big Scotsman got clear of his marker, Danny Swailes, and raced half the length of the field before firing a low, angled shot past rookie 'keeper Glynn Garner.

Recalled skipper Paul Reid, who put in a brave, battling display in midfield in his first match back from injury, had the best chance to level before the break when he fired wide from the edge of the box after good interplay between Ian Lawson and Newby.

The Shakers looked a better proposition in the second half with Harpal Singh's trickery and running on the left flank giving the visitors' defence plenty to think about.

After 56 minutes, Jason Jarrett mishit a shot from point-blank range after excellent work on the right from Newby, but seven minutes later all that was forgotten when Bury got back on terms.

There seemed little danger when the ball broke to Singh 25 yards out from goal, but the little Indian looked up and lashed a magnificent left foot curler that gave Marriott no hope and sailed into the top left corner.

It's only November, but it could be worth backing as the club's Goal of the Season, nevertheless.

As the Shakers tried to avoid extra time, Michael Nelson had a shot cleared off the line by Peter Gain and Newby looked to have a good call for a penalty turned down when Paul Mayo barged into him in the box, but referee Mr Webb deemed the infringement obstruction.

An added half hour may have not been necessary had Garner not made a fine save from Cameron in stoppage time and the young Welshman made another good block from former Shaker Tony Battersby in the first 15 minutes of extra time.

The game looked to have swung Bury's way two minutes into the second half when Cameron dragged down Swailes and this time the referee did point to the spot.

Regular penalty-taker Reid stood aside to let Newby take his chance, but the former Liverpool man's low effort to Marriott's left was splendidly stopped by the Imps' 'keeper. Singh continued to be a thorn in City's side with a number of mazy runs and Marriott had to be on his toes to foil both he and Newby in the dying minutes.

So to penalties: Reid took the Shakers first and despatched it to the top right corner and when Battersby's effort was saved by Garner to his right it looked like the home side had the edge.

But then Newby, Steve Redmond and substitute George Clegg all saw shots saved and even though youngster David Borley coolly converted the final effort, Cameron made sure it was his side that would be making the trip to Eastenders land on December 8.

BURY FORMGUIDE

Paddy Kenny...7

Michael Nelson...7

Danny Swailes...7

Paul Reid...7

Jason Jarrett...7

Harpal Singh...7

Jon Newby...7

Jamie Stuart...8

Martyn Forrest...7

Steve Redmond...7

Matt Murphy...8

Subs not used: Clegg, Syros, O'Shaughnessy, Whiteman and Garner.

ATTENDANCE: 2,190

REFEREE: Mr Graham Laws ( Whitley Bay)