Match report: Bury 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 - Another hammerblow for Rovers

Battling Rovers received another kick in the teeth and another hammerblow to their survival hopes as they were beaten at Bury.
Gary McSheffrey strikes on goalGary McSheffrey strikes on goal
Gary McSheffrey strikes on goal

Leon Clarke's controlled volley 13 minutes from time was enough to give the victory and condemn Rovers to a 17th game without a win and compound their relegation woes.

They now sit eight points off safety in League One with only five games remaining.

Andy Williams holds off Bury's Peter ClarkeAndy Williams holds off Bury's Peter Clarke
Andy Williams holds off Bury's Peter Clarke
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It was another fully committed performance from Rovers but, just as at Rochdale last weekend, it failed to deliver the win for which they are so desperate.

They demonstrated much-needed urgency, swarming forward with plenty of players and forcing Bury deep.

The hosts struggled to cope with the pressure and made numerous errors, only inviting Rovers on more.

Ferguson's side would earn 18 corners in total, such was the manner of their pressure but there was some disappointment that the failed to make better use of the opportunities.

McSheffrey goes for an overhead kickMcSheffrey goes for an overhead kick
McSheffrey goes for an overhead kick
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One of their best chances of the first half was their initial effort. Gary McSheffrey attempted an audacious overhead kick after the ball was topped around the box but former Rovers loanee Chris Neal tipped over the bar.

McSheffrey smashed a shot over the bar from 30 yards soon after.

But Bury should have taken the lead on 12 minutes. A superb ball from Leon Clarke sent Tom Pope in one on one but Remi Matthews raced out and blocked his shot.

The hosts would have the first half's best chances and Matthews was the hero again as he kept them out by any means neccessary midway through the period.

Andy Williams holds off Bury's Peter ClarkeAndy Williams holds off Bury's Peter Clarke
Andy Williams holds off Bury's Peter Clarke
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The ball fell to John O'Sullivan after a deep cross and Matthews parried his shot away superbly. But the clearance came out to Tom Soares who smashed a first time shot which struck Matthews square in the face.

Such was the impact to the keeper's head, he was forced off with Thorsten Stuckmann coming off the bench.

Andy Butler looped a header onto the roof of the net from another Rovers corner as half time approached.

And Rovers had the last say of the half as Mitchell Lund drilled wide from just inside of the box.

McSheffrey goes for an overhead kickMcSheffrey goes for an overhead kick
McSheffrey goes for an overhead kick
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The pattern of the game continued into the second half with Rovers enjoying the majority of the attacking play but Bury looking the more dangerous on the counter.

Tommy Rowe smashed a shot from 25 yards but the ball was always rising before Andy Williams missed a glorious opportunity.

A poor backpass from Chris Hussey put Williams in one on one but he rushed his chance and blasted well over the bar.

Stuckmann produced a brilliant save to tip away John O'Sullivan's superb curling strike that seemed destined for the far corner.

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Rovers looked to have taken the lead when Williams planted a brilliant header past Neal from a corner only for the assistant quickly flag for an infringement.

And Rovers had a big should for a penalty when McSheffrey was barged over close to the byline but referee Michael Bull was unmoved.

If they had a feeling before it was not going to be their day, they certainly did after their 18th corner.

Craig Jones clipped forward a pinpoint clearance, O'Sullivan shrugged off a challenge from Richard Chaplow and curled in a wonderful cross for the on-rushing Clarke to volley in at the far post.

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Bury should have doubled their lead soon after following an error from Stuckmann. He miskicked a clearance, presenting both Ryan Lowe and Danny Mayor with glorious chances which they failed to take.

Neal produced a brilliant save on his line to deny a rasping drive from Tommy Rowe but that was as near as Rovers came to levelling up as Bury saw out the game well.

Results elsewhere left Rovers with an eight point margin to claw back, leaving their League One status hanging by a thread.

Bury: Neal. Jones, Bolger, P Clarke, Hussey (Pugh 74), O'Sullivan, Soares, Mayor, L Clarke, Pope (Lowe 68), Gardner (Etuhu 46). Subs not used: Ruddy, Sedgwick, Delfouneso, Rose.

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Rovers: Matthews (Stuckmann 37), Lund, McCullough, Butler, Taylor-Sinclair, Coppinger (Tyson 81), Middleton, Chaplow (MacKenzie 87), Rowe, McSheffrey, Williams. Subs not used: Evina, Davies, Stewart, Mandeville.

Referee: Michael Bull (Essex)

Attendance: 3,233 (474 away)