Bury secure automatic promotion to League One

Posted Wednesday, May 01, 2019 by PA

Bury secured an immediate return to League One after a 1-1 draw at Tranmere.

With MK Dons and Mansfield facing each other on the final day, a point was enough to go up.

Tranmere’s own automatic promotion hopes were ended, but the draw was enough to clinch a play-off spot.

League Two top scorer James Norwood headed home his 30th goal of the season in the 11th minute – heading home a Keiron Morris corner.

Norwood should have doubled his tally when he was denied by Joe Murphy’s legs.

Connor Jennings fired wide after being well found by Ollie Banks.

The hosts should have doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Morris threaded a superb through ball to Norwood, but the prolific striker was denied by the legs of Joe Murphy.

Bury came out all guns blazing in the second half, with Jay O’Shea forcing a corner out of Scott Davies, who had to make a full stretch save early doors.

And shot-stopper Davies had to pull off a fine reaction stop to keep out Dominic Telford.

But the equaliser came in the 56th minute when Danny Mayor fired home after creating space for himself.

His first effort was going well wide but when the ball was inexplicably diverted back into his path, his second shot was deflected in off the unlucky Jake Caprice.

Rovers had a chance to retake the lead moments later when a shot from Ben Pringle ricocheted into the path of Norwood, but his shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped over by Joe Murphy.