Bury booked their place in the North West Counties playoff final thanks to a stunning effort from Tanaka Cherera just after the break.

The season was at last completed but Bury still had work to do, chasing the final promotion spot via the playoffs. First in their path was Charnock Richard. It was the fifth meeting between the two sides this season but Bury had yet to win any of them, while the Villagers entered the match on the back of six straight victories played over just 11 days that catapulted them into playoff contention.

It has been said the Shakers have struggled in must win scenarios this season, not enjoying a notable cup run for instance. Indeed Charnock Richard had knocked them out of two separate cup contests but backed by a raucous crowd of 4,099 Bury looked to change that narrative.

The first real chance of the day fell to Bury, Andy Scarisbrick charging through from the deep burst through in on goal and fired a shot that visiting goalkeeper Harry Moss was equal to.

At the other end Charles Duke attempted a long range shot that took a wicked deflection and left Bury keeper Harry Wright scrambling to push around the post.

Neither side was able to wrestle control of the match in the opening stages before Bury gradually started to keep the ball more consistently and build attacks as a result. Charlie Doyle had a decent chance as the ball was laid off to him by Max Harrop but his powerful finish was blocked by Moss while a Harrop corner fell to Connor Comber who saw his acrobatic bicycle kick effort sail wide of the far post. Harrop again at the centre of things lifted the ball forward to Cherera but the young forward’s first time volley cleared the goal and the Cemetery End roof from very close range.

Halftime arrived, Bury had shown glimpses of the type of football they are capable of but without the end product in a must win match. This was soon to change however.

Bury put the ball in the back of the net early in the second half. A scuffed effort by Harrop deflected over Moss and landed in the back of the goal. The linesman had already flagged for offside but better was to immediately follow.

In a quick counter attack Comber laid the ball off to the oncoming Tanaka Cherera. Channeling the spirit of Tony Rigby Cherera fired a knuckleball effort that swerved in the air, sailed over Moss and landed in the back of the same goal that Rigby scored the winning goal in the playoff semifinal against Preston North End in 1995. The Bury contingent exploded into celebrations taking the lead with a late goal of the season contender.

Charnock Richard content to hold their ground and absorb pressure now had to come out and play against the home side sapping what energy they had left from their late season exploits. While Bury kept the visitors at bay it was clear a second goal would be needed. It should have come from Connor Comber. A quick break by Cherera saw the goalscorer square the ball to the open winger but the ball hit a bobble on a still recovering pitch and what should have been a tap in was lost and cleared away.

Bury had a couple more scares, the left post was rattled by one Charnock Richard effort while Harry Wright spilled a high ball and had to do well to claim it back off the foot of a Charnock Richard forward.

There were further chances for Bury. Scarisbrick had a shot blocked, Andy Briggs on as a substitute forced Moss to push a shot around the post and Harrop, looking good for a goal all night, saw a late curled effort well saved by the busy Harry Moss.

In the end the one goal was all that was needed for the Shakers to break their hoodoo and secure a victory over the hardworking Charnock Richard. One more match awaits with second placed Wythenshawe Town the final opponents Bury will face in this long and draining season. 90 more minutes away from glory or another season in the North West Counties.