In the Third Qualifying Round, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side crashed out of this year’s Emirates FA Cup at the hands of near neighbours Bury, who currently ply their trade in the North West Counties.

Radcliffe took the lead after just seven minutes, as Anthony Dudley used his strength to hold off his man whilst breaking into the penalty area from Brad Roscoe’s lifted pass, before the number ten slotted nonchalantly past Mitchell Allen.

Bury’s first chance of the contest came in the 21st minute after Bebeto Gomes came forward from the right-back position. The former Radcliffe man was picked out by his teammates at the far post but he dragged his shot well wide of the target.

Radcliffe had a duo of good chances to double their advantage before half-time as two free kicks were given in a wide area. Josh Wardle was able to win the battle in the centre on both occasions but he saw his first header cannon off the post, and his second fly over the crossbar.

In injury time, the Shakers had their best chance of the first half as Rustam Stepans almost tied the game. An effort at the near post almost beat Mateusz Hewelt but he managed to get an arm to the chance which allowed Brad Roscoe time to get in position to clear the ball off the line with a solid piece of defending.

Four minutes into the second half, Jordan Hulme almost put Radcliffe two goals to the good as he got on the end of Anthony Dudley’s flick on but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the right post, with many fans expecting the ball to nestle into the bottom corner.

Bury restored parity in the 56th minute after a bright spell of possession, as half-time substitute Sam Coughlan converted a free kick from the left side, his low strike went through the bodies and straight into the back of the net.

With the score level, Radcliffe made a number of changes to attempt to switch things up as Nicky Adams, Brad Jackson, Isaac Modi and Ewan Bange entered the action over the next 20 minutes.

In front of a sellout crowd, the Boro set about searching for a winning goal and went close on multiple occasions whilst the scores were level at 1-1. Modi had space to run at the Bury penalty area and send the ball across the area, Jackson received his invitation and powered a shot towards the near post but Mitchell stood strong and blocked the strike.

Moments later, the ball was put into the area from the right wing and Modi had a great opportunity to put Radcliffe ahead with a header, but again Mitchell was able to push the ball wide of the target.

Just a minute after, Bury took the lead. Ruben Jerome won his battle in the left channel, managing to fend off a number of blue shirts before taking aim at the bottom left corner. Despite a hand from Hewelt, the ball trickled over the line to spark mass celebrations from the away faithful in the Fell End.

Second-half substitute Bryan Ly was filled with confidence and attempted an audacious lob from 30 yards to twist the dagger once more, but Hewelt was alert and managed to push the ball over the bar with his fingertips.

With three minutes of the 90 left to play, Radcliffe drew level. Adams’ free kick towards the far post was headed into the centre by Hulme, landing in front of Wardle who managed to adjust his body and fire the ball into the back of the net.

In the 89th minute however, the Shakers were awarded a penalty after Jerome was brought down by Wardle. The defender and Hewelt were unable to clear their lines allowing the former Ramsbottom United man to pick the pocket before being dragged to the ground, Ly took responsibility for the spot kick and calmly rolled into the net.

Despite the lengthy amount of injury time at the end of the contest, Radcliffe were unable to draw level again but there was still action off the ball as in the final minute of the match, Matt Sargent was shown a second yellow red card after a scuffle near the corner flag.

The referee eventually blew for full-time, dumping Radcliffe out of the competition at the second hurdle.