PETERBOROUGH 1 BURY 2

THREE goals, two sendings-off, one of the goalkeeping howlers of the season and enough post match opinion to fill a novel... there's never a shortage of action at London Road.

Having witnessed at least four goals in every league game at their ground so far this season, Posh fans have come to expect entertainment with a capital 'E' and they got more of the same on Saturday as the Shakers chalked up their third win on the trot and so achieved their highest league position since 1989.

Even David Johnson's naughty, rather than malicious, goal celebrations couldn't detract from another solid all-around team display in which Nick Daws, Dean Kiely and Mark Carter were at the forefront.

Daws twice cleared off the line in a frenetic first half dominated by a home side driven on by midfielders Martin O'Connor and Derek Payne.

His first heroics came in the 17th minute when Richard Huxford took possession of a short corner and swung in a right flank cross that found the unmarked Ken Charlery. His downward header seemed destined for the corner of the net until Daws used his own cranium to deflect it against the bar.

That was a huge let off for the Shakers who heeded the warning and immediately tightened up their marking at set-pieces.

However, the improvement didn't stop Simon Clark finding himself with a shooting opportunity from just eight yards in the 31st minute that Daws this time cleared off the line with his right boot.

In between those two pieces of excellent awareness and defending, Paul Butler - recalled in place of Andy Woodward - had made a brilliant last ditch challenge to stop Zeke Rowe and Dean Kiely had again displayed his class and agility with full length stops from Scott Houghton and the busy, terrier-like Payne.

As an attacking force the Shakers were less than impressive though Carter, back from injury, showed all his experience in holding the ball up and as the half wore on, and Posh blew themselves out, so Johnson's pace and Carter's cunning began to have the desired results.

Even so, the Shakers managed only two on-target efforts on goal in front of their own supporters. The first was a 32nd minute Rob Matthews' header that Posh debutant Bart Griemink saved comfortably and then a 42nd minute volley from the same Bury player had the new keeper scrambling to his right to save low down.

The Shakers ought to have been happy to be level at the interval though they were the more effective team after the break.

The major turning point came in the 53rd minute and it was a personal disaster for Dutchman Griemink who had been bought for £25,000 from Birmingham City because Barry Fry was unhappy with the form of Jon Sheffield who'd played 71 consecutive games.

Lenny Johnrose was the man who turned Bart's face crimson with a long, hopeful punt towards the edge of the box, the big keeper didn't know whether to come or stay, kick or collect and eventually did neither, allowing the ball through his hands and legs for Matthews to open his season's account with the simplest of tap-ins.

Griemink held his head in his hands and Fry immediately tried a three card trick pulling Rowe, David Regis and Charlery out of the fray and sending on Roger Willis, Sean Farrell and Danny Carter.

The benefits were not immediately obvious as the Shakers moved into top gear. Johnrose got on the end of a four man move to power in a header that blushing Bart gathered, to ironic cheers, at the second attempt.

Posh fired back through Mick Bodley whose own header was cleared off the line by Dean West and then equalised from a 64th minute O'Conner free kick that was met perfectly by the head of Greg Heald and gave Kiely no chance.

This time it was Ternent's turn to respond by dragging off Matthews and sending on Gordon Armstrong, thus reverting to a 5-3-2 formation from the more adventurous 5-2-3.

It didn't, however, stop Posh creating chances and Kiely made a smart stop to deny O'Connor a long range goal.

There was a delightful ebb and flow to the contest with neither side happy to settle for a single point and Bury thought they'd retaken the lead in the 81st minute when Carter's skilful turn in the box left Heald floundering and the ball in the net. Unfortunately, referee Bennett decided Carter had impeded the defender and the 'goal' was disallowed.

Carter responded by repeating the manoeuvre, ninety seconds later, in the 83rd minute.

This time there was no whistle and the striker was able to lay the ball square for Johnson to whip home his second goal of the season. It was a clinical and deadly strike from 15 yards, although the aftermath left a bitter-sweet taste.

First Johnson indulged in a little bit of showboating and dancing in front of the Posh fans behind the goal and referee Bennett was soon on his case.

Then, the celebrations continued along the touchline back to the centre circle and the Posh fans became more and more incensed as Johnson signalled the score to them.

He was about to be spoken to by the referee when he looked back from the centre circle and continued his celebration. It was the last straw for Mr Bennett who instead of producing the yellow card one might have expected, drew out the red one.

Skipper David Pugh remonstrated with official to no effect and Bury were down to ten men. Off went Carter to be replaced by Woodward as they sought to hold their lead.

Bury then found an unwitting ally in Posh substitute Farrell who, after earlier being booked for a foul on West, decided on an illegal, 88th minute challenge on Butler and immediately found himself keeping Johnson company beneath the stand.

It was left to Daws to end the game on a more positive note as he galloped down the right flank leaving a trail of defenders in his wake before cutting inside the box and narrowly failing with an attempted chip over Griemink

MILLWALL 1 BURY 0

STAN TERNENT described his side's display as the "worst performance of the season" after they had offered little resistance to an inconsistent Millwall side. Bury virtually gave up their second place spot as they demonstrated their inconsistency away from home after a great win at Peterborough.

The first half belonged to the home side, as Millwall played the ball through the midfield with impressive Australian Lucas Neill and the hard-working Bobby Bowry finding himself in a running battle with Bury's five-man defence.

The Shakers could not provide an answer losing the fight in midfield and so resorting to a more direct route. Top scorer Mark Carter was hardly in the game as Bury's long balls were mopped up by Lions'l defenders Tony Witter and Scott Fitzgerald the latter on loan from Wimbledon.

Dean Kiely made his first save after 16 minutes, easily getting to a long range effort from Ricky Newman. But six minutes later, he could do nothing to prevent Millwall left back Anton Rogan becoming his club's top scorer for the season.

His one-two with Bowry left him 18 yards out with Kiely off his line. His beautiful chip cleared Kiely and left the 200 travelling supporters with their heads in their hands.

Bury continued to sit back and allowed Millwall to play their passing game and Kiely was forced to make a smart save from Paul Hartley, while Newman's effort curled just over the bar.

Minutes before the first half ended Bury made their first venture into the Millwall penalty area. Lenny Johnrose released Carter who was stopped by keeper Tim Carter before he could get the ball to Matthews who was in a prime shooting position. Bury came out in the second half with a more attacking formation, Ronnie Jepson replacing Michael Jackson to leave them with a four man defence.

Jepson offered another option for attack but he had only ten minutes to show his worth before he succumbed to the nagging hamstring strain that has blighted his season so far.

He limped from the field to be replaced by Andy Woodward who slotted into defence leaving West pushed forward.

The best chance for an equaliser fell to Nick Daws who had a golden opportunity to score when a Johnson pass left him six yards out with no Millwall defender in sight. He belted his effort over the bar.

Millwall had lost their rhythm but Bury found themselves unable to take advantage of the loss of form.

The Shakers enjoyed a couple more chances but never looked like converting them, a Paul Butler header going well wide and and an opening for Carter stopped by the keeper.

Millwall were content to play out the rest of a dull game with safety their watchword and comfortably collected three points to leapfrog the Shakers into second place.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.