Second-half goals from Rustam Stepans and Sam Coughlan earned Bury all three points in a hard-earned and often tempestuous match against Stockport Town.

With Alex Cherera away playing for Zimbabwe Under 20 National team Bury will be without their teenage top scorer for the next four matches. Waiting in the wings however was Iyrwah Gooden stepping into the spot on the left-wing supported by Connor Pye preferred to Gaz Peet at left-back.

The Shakers started the match on the front foot, Rustam Stepans played in by Cameron Fogerty placed a shot that was turned round the post by keeper Cian O’Shea.

Next defender Ben Hockenhull charged through the centre spreading the ball out wide to Gooden and continued to run to the Town penalty area but Gooden’s cross was off target and straight at O’Shea. Hockenhull’s fellow centre-back Lewis Earl also came close heading a Bryan Ly free kick just wide of the far post.

The closest Bury came to scoring in the first half came when a long ball over the top found Pye in acres of space. His shot was well saved before the rebound was stolen away before Stepans could get to it. In the aftermath Bryan Ly then had a shot on target saved by the in-form O’Shea.

There was plenty of endeavour to be seen out on the Gigg Lane pitch but the ball never quite fell for Shakers. Late on Pye had another chance, his outside the box shot pushed away by O’Shea.

Bury came out into the second half with fresh drive and impetus quickly putting the visitors under pressure. Ruben Jerome played in Gooden on the left, he cut inside to shoot with his right foot but the shot was well wide.

Gooden was then involved again, trying to get in behind the Town defence his shirt was grabbed by a Stockport Town defender and Bury’s left winger was dragged down in the box. Strong penalty appeals in the stands and on the pitch were waved away by the referee.

Gooden wasn’t to be denied a second time however; on a bursting run Gooden was fouled just inside the box by centre-back Kai Johnston and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Stepans made no mistake firmly placing his spot-kick into the bottom corner to give Bury the lead.

The home side were in the ascendancy and frustration began to boil over for the away side culminating in Jamie Walsh flying in with a late tackle on Connor Pye that was as late as it was high. The melee that followed took minutes to quell and by the end of it Walsh received his marching orders. Jerome then headed the resulting free-kick over O’Shea and into the back of the net but it was quickly ruled out for offside.

Stockport Town a goal down and a man down struggled to keep the Shakers at bay. Stepans had a shot saved, while Gooden fired a shot that just bobbled wide. Connor Pye impressing again broke through on the left beat two defenders and fired a wicked effort just over the bar.

The Shakers had another penalty shout late in the game, Bryan Ly broke through on goal and just before he could shoot was pushed in the back and knocked down. Penalty appeals were again denied and with Jerome down injured from a previous passage of play Bury were briefly down to nine men as a rare Stockport Town counterattack threatened Bury’s narrow lead.

It became clear a second goal was needed and it arrived thanks to substitute Sam Coughlan. In the right place and right time to get on the end of a Bebeto Gomes pull back leaving an easy finish from close range just as the match entered stoppage time.

It was just as well Coughlan got his goal as just two minutes later a Stockport free kick was swung into the Bury box. Coughlan got a head to it but could only direct it over everyone else and into the far corner of his own net.

That late goal had Bury fans watching the clock as eight minutes of added time slowly wound down. In a match where they had rarely been threatened at the back it was a nervous finish.

Time eventually expired handing Bury another important victory, a result that sees them jump to third in the table.