BURY 1 COUNTY 1
County enjoyed the lion's share of possession kicking down the slope at Stainton Park.
And they almost took the lead o 18 minutes when Gianluca Havern got on the end of an Adam Griffin corner which forced a good save from Aaron Grundy.
Three minutes later Stephen Gleeson saw a low free kick deflected behind for a corner.
Just before the break Amari Morgan-Smith almost broke the deadlock. Griffin created the chance with a surging run down the left and the striker was unlucky te see his shot cleared off the line by Jack Dorney.
Paul Ennis and Danny Pilkington replaced Chris Coward and Jim McNulty at the interval.
Ten minutes after the re-start Conrad Logan made a flying save to deny Riche Baker.
Pilkington's header then brought a brilliant save from Aaron Grundy.
County made a third sub when Alex Elliott replaced Lee Williams.
The game was opening up and Dorney came close with a left foot volley.
The Hatters took the lead on 79 minutes when Gleeson chipped the ball into the box to Morgan-Smith. The striker teed-up Pilkington who finished neatly.
Bury grabbed an equaliser five minutes from time when Logan mis-kicked a clearance straight to Dorney who gratefully accepted the gift.
Pilkington looked certain to settle the tie when he raced clear of the Shakers defence before being upended on the edge of the box by Ricky Anane who was given a straight red card. Pilkington picked himself up and hit the free kick from a central position towards the bottom corner but Grundy made a good save.
No extra-time, straight penalties and County were soon up against it. After Dorney had given the Shakers the lead Pilkington saw his spot-kick saved.
David Poole, James Vincent and Morgan-Smith were all successful but so too were Dale Stephens, Ryan hall and Josh Rothwell for Bury.
Baker then scored the decisive penalty for the Shakers who won 5-3.
County: Logan; Williams (Elliott), Tunnicliffe, McNulty (D Pilkington), Havern; Poole, J Vincent, Gleeson, Griffin; Coward (Ennis), Morgan-Smith.
Subs: Flowers, Imeson, Elliott.
