Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Bury
- Published
Bury manager David Flitcroft celebrates promotion with his coaching staff
Tom Soares' goal for Bury sealed automatic promotion to League One and saw off a brave Tranmere Rovers effort.
Results went the Shakers' way as Southend lost at Morecambe, while Wycombe were kept at bay thanks to Soares' close-range finish.
Tranmere, already relegated, were a threat but Bury goalkeeper Nick Pope saved from Rory Donnelly and Max Power.
The scoreline means Tranmere finish bottom of the Football League after Cheltenham's draw at Wimbledon.
Rovers, who ended the season with seven defeats in nine, might have also had a penalty had Adam El-Abd been penalised for handball in the first half.
Promotion form and relegation form |
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Bury won 13 and lost just three of their last 16 games to secure promotion to League One. |
Conversely, Tranmere's one win in 15 - and 12 defeats - saw them slide out of the Football League for the first time in their history. |
Instead, Tranmere striker Kayode Odejayi was deemed to have pushed the former Brighton defender and the decision went the other way.
Bury, under manager David Flitcroft, have returned to the third tier after a two-year absence.
Bury manager David Flitcroft told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It's not about one game,. Promotion is over a season work and these lads are showing that emotion from the season.
Flitcroft on Tranmere v Bury
"I drive them hard, I push them hard and they're a credit to their families, they're a credit to the football club, they're a credit to everyone they do it for and I'm delighted to work with them.
"It was a difficult occasion for Tranmere, being relegated last week. They played with a freedom. Sometimes freedom in football is difficult to cope with. We did that but our game management was excellent.
"It's been 17/18 months' work since I walked into the building. We were in a real dire state so we've had massive progression."
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019
