Tranmere fight back rocks Bury

Two first-half goals in as many minutes sent Tranmere into the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area semi-finals as they beat Bury 2-1.

The Shakers led 10 minutes before half-time when Nathan Cameron fired them ahead but Max Power's free-kick and Danny Johnson's tap-in gave Micky Adams' Rovers their second win in four days. Although the visitors started brightly, they were constantly exposed down the right flank and it was no surprise to see the opening goal originate from that region. Cameron ghosted into the area and adjusted well to volley Nicky Adams' cross over Peter Brezovan and into the net to give the Shakers a 35th-minute lead. However, two goals in 88 seconds just before the break swung the pendulum in Tranmere's favour. Power claimed the first with a long-range free-kick which stayed low and crept inside debutant Scott Loach's near post. Rovers were buoyant after that strike and soon took the lead as they poured forward down the right, Steve Jennings shuffling the ball across for Johnson to score his first goal in league football. Bury boss David Flitcroft made two changes at the break and the home side enjoyed the bulk of possession but Brezovan remained equal to efforts from Joe Thompson, Danny Mayor and Adams. Rovers dropped deeper and deeper but their hosts struggled to get in behind them until Mayor poked across for Hallam Hope, whose first-time try was stopped by Brezovan, with former Tranmere winger Thompson blasting the rebound wide. Brezovan would save the best for last when he thwarted Hope from point-blank range in the final stages to ensure Rovers progressed.