Bury suffered a late collapse away at Chadderton that saw their 2-0 lead evaporate into a 3-2 defeat.

For the fifth match running, there was a debutant in the starting line-up with Tom Moore replacing the retired Jimmy Moore in the heart of defence while fellow new arrival Billy Reeves had a spot on the bench.

Much of the first half was played with a great deal of earnestness and hard work but without many opportunities. Bury enjoyed most of the possession but only in their own defence and midfield as Chadderton proved difficult to break down.

The pitch was slow and heavy with long grass and wet leaves blunting Bury’s previously sharp passing game. By contrast, Chadderton were opportunists in attack, sending long balls overhead to pacy wingers which suited the conditions better.

Bury started to grow into the match, Lewis Gilboy attempted a long-range effort the Chaddy keeper Morgan Bacon had to save well before Bury finally broke through.

A cross sent into the Chaddy box fell kindly to Scarisbrick at the far post who volleyed home the only goal of the first half.

The second half was a much more open affair. Bury went on the attack from the off, a Rowney corner was headed by Oli Jepson who saw his effort cleared off the line, Benito scrambled to get the ball over the line but it came back to the returning Rowney who swung in an effort that rattled the woodwork.

Soon after another Rowney corner found Jepson again but this time the Bury centre half would not be denied finding the back of the net for Bury’s second. There could have been a quick third as Scarisbrick played in Comber and only a last-ditch challenge saved the home side.

Chaddy did grab one goal back. A pass down the line by Chapman beat Jordi Nsaka and Sutcliffe finished well into the corner to beat Atkinson. Nonetheless, Bury continued to look the side most likely to score again. Comber had a free kick well saved by Bacon while the keeper saved well from a Lowe shot and a Scarisbrick header as time ticked on.

The hosts began to heap pressure on the Shakers, more possession, more set pieces and crosses, and Bury struggled to keep the ball away from goal. With two minutes remaining Jordan Jones headed past Atkinson to claim the Chadderton equaliser. From there it felt like worryingly familiar territory.

Pushing on to try and regain the lead Bury’s Andy Briggs was tackled from behind by the already booked Kain Dean. He was given his marching orders but the subsequent free kick did not amount to a real chance for Bury.

Atkinson made a good save from a corner as the ten men of Chadderton continued their dominance.

In the eighth minute of time added on Cory Knight spotted Atkinson off his line and shooting from the halfway line scored the winning goal, just as he had in August. The winner sparked pandemonium as the whole Chadderton team, subs and management ran to the far corner where Bury fans were congregating in an effort to spark some animosity and some ugly scenes broke out as a result.

In Bury’s effort to exorcise the demons from August a worse one came along in October. A Nightmare on Andrew Street.