Eurosport - Sun, 10 May 20:11:00 2009
Shrewsbury clinched their place at Wembley after beating Bury 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after their League Two play-off semi-final second leg reached a dramatic climax at Gigg Lane.
Kevin McIntyre's 88th-minute winner took the match into extra time, levelling the tie 1-1 on aggregate after the ball broke loose to him on the edge of the box and he unleashed a rasping drive.
The goal dashed the hopes of Bury manager Alan Knill, whose side had dominated possession throughout.
Earlier Phil Jevons had missed a 31st-minute penalty for Bury, while the Shrews had to contend with substitute Steven Leslie being shown a straight red card at the start of extra time.
The undoubted hero for Paul Simpson's side was goalkeeper Luke Daniels, who made numerous fine saves throughout the match before crucially stopping two Bury penalties.
In the fifth minute, a good swivel and shot from Andy Morrell on the edge of the Shrewsbury box brought a sharp stop from Wayne Brown.
Phil Jevons then went down under a challenge from Graham Coughlan in the penalty area, but referee Webster was unimpressed despite the vociferous appeals.
Morrell swivelled and shot sharply in the ninth minute - the veteran striker employed a shoot-on-sight policy in the first half, and was the most potent threat for the hosts.
A huge penalty appeal from Elliott Bennett was then rejected after Neil Ashton looked to have handled the ball inadvertently from a chipped cross out on the right.
But Bury did get a penalty when Ashton clumsily hauled down Morrell.
Jevons stepped up but tamely placed his penalty to the right of Daniels, who followed the save with two reaction stops from the resulting follow-ups.
The striker missed another good chance as Ben Futcher caused havoc in the Shrewsbury box before laying the ball off, but his shot was blazed over the bar from close range.
McIntyre was the culprit for squandering a glorious opportunity at the other end after being put through by a delightful pass from Grant Holt - but he slid his shot wide of Brown's far post just before half-time.
Bury continued to attack with intensity: Bennett whipped a superb ball across the face of goal and Morrell was unable to make contact as he slid for it in the 55th minute.
As the hosts looked to be heading for the final, Shrewsbury launched a late flurry of attacks - and received their reward in dramatic circumstances.
Two minutes from time, McIntyre lashed the ball through a crowd of bodies and past Brown in the Bury goal to take the match into extra time.
No sooner had the first extended period begun, but substitute forward Leslie was sent off as Shrewsbury were reduced to 10 men for an aerial challenge with Bennett: it was a hugely-contentious decision from the referee, who was lambasted by Simpson from the touchline.
Bury substitute Andy Bishop then had a number of glorious chances to seal victory for the home side.
The best opportunity came when Bishop found himself clean through on goal in the 104th minute, but somehow managed to direct his shot straight at Daniels, who spread himself superbly.
Shrews defender Darren Moss then made a last-gasp clearance off the line as a header from Efe Sodje looped towards the top corner, only for the defender to direct it over the bar in the dying moments.
Ben Davies, Moses Ashikodi, McIntyre and David Worrall all showed composure in the penalty shoot-out, giving Brown no chance in the Bury goal, with Bishop and substitute Danny Racchi missing the crucial penalties for the hosts.
Shrewsbury advance to the play-off final at Wembley, where they will face Gillingham after they later beat Rochdale.
Comment 1 - 6 of 6
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Bury were outplayed in the first game. Thats Football. They did not take their chances in this game and paid the price.
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NO justice Bury played them off the park...Wrong Result...
TOP RESULT WEMBLEY HERE WE COME. Hard fought well deserved.
Next season shakers you will go up/ Alan Knill has done Bury proud and the team /it wasnt to be this time good luck in the future/ Barry & Barbara
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