Neil Ashton's own goal nine minutes from time gifted Bury a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury in the first leg of their League Two play-off clash.

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Shrewsbury dominated much of the match despite strong resistance from the Bury defence, but their poor finishing saw them miss several gilt-edged chances to score in both halves of an energetic match.

There was plenty of industry on display from the start, but with strong winds swirling through the Prostar Stadium neither side could put the ball into danger areas with precision.

With both defences pressing tirelessly, the conditions put chances at a premium throughout the match and it was nearly 20 minutes before the first clear chance of the game came, as Bury midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy latched on to a free kick before shooting wide.

The same player saved a good chance at the other end on 32 minutes as Shrewsbury centre-back Graham Coughlan headed goalwards only to see Barry-Murphy head off the line.

Shrewsbury pushed up immediately, however, with Kevin McIntyre's brilliant effort from just outside the box drawing a superb save from Wayne Brown, and League Two's top striker Grant Holt latching on to the re-bound.

Holt had the entire goal to aim at, but misdirected his shot towards the Bury stragglers on the line, and the ball deflected away via the outside of the post.

The striker had another great chance just before half-time as he beat the off-side trap to latch on to an aerial through-ball but, despite his athletic lunge, he could not quite get his foot to the ball.

With wind still blowing hard chances were even harder to come by in the second half, though the home side's superior form - which saw them sneak in to the play-offs on the final day - showed through as they dominated both possession and chances.

Holt had another chance a couple of minutes after the hour mark, jumping well to meet one of the few looping crosses of the night which actually found its intended target. The same could not be said for his header, which slipped wide.

Bury had a decent chance through Mark Jones's stunningly-struck free kick on 66 minutes, and with the players tiring it seemed like there would be few more chances.

Yet with nine minutes left, disaster struck for the home side as Neil Ashton played the ball back to his own keeper - yet the defender had not checked Luke Daniels's position. The Shrews' gloveman was well out of position, and Ashton's pass ended up being a stunning, Messi-esque lob which trickled over the line despite clipping Daniels on the head as it passed through his hands.

Shrewsbury pushed hard for the equaliser which their dominance fully deserved. Yet it just seemed like it would not be their night when Ben Davies went close with a bicycle kick in the fourth minute of extra time.

And that impression was confirmed when, with the last chances of the match, first Holt and then Davies again hit feeble shots straight at the keeper when having the goal at their mercy.

Still, woeful finishing aside, Shrewsbury can hold their heads high at their level of quality and industry and, with no away goals rule in the play-offs, they will still fancy their chances of earning a spot at Wembley.