Late drama at the Neuven Stadium saw North West Counties Bury stun National League North Radcliffe running out 3-2 winners and extending their FA Cup run into the fourth qualifying round.

Bury have persevered during their strong start to the season with a small squad and a settled starting eleven. However with Alex Cherera still on international duty, Ben Hockenhull cup-tied and, backup keeper Sam Ashton unavailable manager Dave McNabb had few options to help fill the bench. Goalkeeper Richard Cowderoy was drafted in from Marine as emergency cover while Will Calligan who has recently been playing at Emley on dual registration was recalled. As was teenager Alik Babayan fresh from playing for Bury’s Under 23s side the night before.

It was an emotional start to the day with Radcliffe playing their first match since the untimely passing of their chairman Paul Hilton and it didn’t take long for Boro to make the perfect start. A simple ball over the top found Anthony Dudley running onto it. Bury called out for an offside flag that never materialised and former Shakers youth teamer Dudley had an easy finish at the near post to give the hosts the lead.

Though Radcliffe have had a difficult start to the season the three league disparity between the two sides did appear through the first half. Josh Wardle ought to have doubled Radcliffe’s lead outmuscling Lewis Earl at a corner but heading over the bar while Matt Sargent hit the woodwork from another set piece. Bury did enjoy plenty of possession but lacked a cutting edge, what few chances they managed were speculative and off-target.

Rustam Stepans did have a chance just before the break lobbing Radcliffe goalkeeper Matt Hewelt but the goalbound effort was headed off the line.

McNabb rang the chances at the break changing formation and adding Josh Gregory and Sam Coughlan. It had the desired effect Bury were much more direct in the second half and found the gaps in the Radcliffe defence.

Jordan Hulme nearly grabbed Boro’s second but his shot was wide of goal. From there Bury attacked and won a free-kick just outside the Radcliffe penalty area. Coughlan stepped up to take it and his low-fired set piece deceived the Radcliffe keeper and slipped into the far corner to give the Shakers their equaliser.

From there, Bury seemed to grow into the match. Spotting Hewelt off his line Ruben Jerome attempted a shot from the deep that only just cleared the bar while Stepans volleyed just wide of goal and Coughlan forced a save out of Hewelt.

As the match entered the last ten minutes the home side began to fight back Brad Jackson and Isaac Modi forced spectacular saves from Mitch Allen in quick succession as the Shakers were under siege. This however left space at the back. A quick counterattack set Jerome free alone in the Radcliffe half. His powerful shot could only be blocked by Hewelt, the ball deflecting over him and crawling over the line to give Bury a late lead.

The result could have been decided a minute later, Hewelt again off his line substitute Bryan Ly this time the man on the ball. His lob was destined for the back of the net but Hewelt backtracked just enough that his full-length dive just tipped the ball over for a corner.

Bury’s lead however, couldn’t last, on 87 minutes three times former Shaker Nicky Adams sent in a free-kick that found Josh Wardle who at last hit the target with a header to grab a late equaliser.

As the match entered the 90th minute there was one more twist to the tale. Jerome pounced on dawdling defending from a long ball forward and slipped in ahead of Wardle who brought the Bury forward down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Bryan Ly stepped up to take the spot kick sending Hewelt the wrong way and the Bury fans behind the goal into raptures.

The match continued for more than twelve gruelling minutes of added time. Mitch Allen twice more called into last-ditch rearguard action to protect the Shakers precious lead. The added time however only proved to be the downfall of Radcliffe’s Matt Sargent. Already booked, his late kick out off the ball on Gaz Peet resulted in his dismissal.

Well after 5pm had been and gone the referee at last brought the match to an end and confirmed an incredible victory for Bury leaving them just one win away from the first round proper.