Relegated Bury hit back to earn draw at AFC Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, May 06, 2018 by PA

Bottom-side Bury came from behind to end their three-year stay in League One with a 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon.

Dons midfielder Dean Parrett put the hosts in front with a superb half-volley after Barry Fuller’s long throw fell to him at the back post.

Kwesi Appiah doubled their advantage after 34 minutes, firing past the luckless Joe Murphy for his third goal for the club after hesitation in the Shakers’ backline.

Captain Neil Danns brought Bury back into the game after 66 minutes, curling into the top corner after Dons goalkeeper George Long had come off his line to parry Jay O’Shea’s deep cross.

Substitute Andy Barcham then struck the bar with a 20-yard volley for Neal Ardley’s Dons, who ended the season seven games unbeaten.

However, the Shakers earned only their 11th away point of the campaign courtesy of George Miller, who met O’Shea’s delivery to head home late on.

The game was soured by injuries to Dons’ highly-rated leading scorer Lyle Taylor and 18-year-old Bury defender Ryan Cooney, who were both stretchered off after lengthy delays.

Bury only won once away from Gigg Lane in the league all season and struggled against the tempo of Wimbledon’s play in the opening half.

Yet they almost completed the most unlikely of comeback victories in the 89th minute as Miller met Ismail’s drilled cross into the box only to fire over the bar.