Bury Town were denied a deserved replay by a 90th minute goal in an evenly contested cup tie
Oxford started well and Mark Bell`s fierce drive hit the post in the second minute. A cross by Jamie Brook then hit the top of the Bury bar.
Bury fought back well and Kieran Leabon was unlucky not to score when he charged down keeper Richard Knight`s clearance .
After a period of even possession with both sides creating half chances, Bury took the lead after 18 minutes. Following a corner by Ben Coker, Leabon rose to head home past Knight. Sam Reed then shot straight at the keeper as Bury pushed forward.
Oxford then came back strongly and forced several free kicks and corners. Marcus Garnham was forced into a flying save to keep out a header from Darren Pond, and Elliot Hunter cleared off the line after Michael Alexis had got clear down the right.
Bury were now playing mostly on the break, but were restricting the home side to long range efforts that were mostly off target.
Half Time Oxford City 0 Bury Town 1
Oxford started the second half on top, but still unable to trouble Garnham, and Bury came closest when Sam Reed`s effort was touched round the post by substitute keeper Barisic.
Oxford continued to have more of the play and Hunter again cleared of the Bury line following a corner.The hosts finally drew level after 71 minutes. A quick break down the right left Bury short of numbers in defence and substitute Mark Janes ran on to beat Garnham inside his near post.Oxford were looking the more likely to settle the tie, but Bury were looking dangerous on the break and Ben Coker went close with a long range effort.
With three minutes left Bury nearly got the all important goal but Coker was denied by a superb goal line clearance by Andy Baird. A minute later Baird was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The game was decided in the 90th minute when a corner kick wasn`t cleared by the Bury defence and Andy Gunn rose to head home past Garnham
Full Time Oxford City 2 Bury Town 1 |
