Bury FC's first home league game of the season ended in dramatic fashion, with Mitch Allen saving a late penalty from Tony Weston to secure a 3-2 win over Curzon Ashton at Gigg Lane.
The match looked to be slipping away from Bury before halftime, when Weston scored twice to put Curzon Ashton 2-1 ahead. But Bury responded after the break, with Mo Touray levelling the score and James Neild restoring the home side's lead.
Allen's late save seals three points
Curzon Ashton were handed a chance to rescue a point in the 88th minute when they won a penalty. Allen, however, kept out Weston's effort and preserved all three points for Bury.
That stop proved decisive in a tight contest, but the game was overshadowed after Curzon Ashton issued a statement about online abuse directed at one of their players and the player's family after the match.
Curzon Ashton condemn abuse
Curzon Ashton said online abuse of any form is not acceptable and that abusive and threatening behaviour will not be tolerated by the club. They said they had been made aware of multiple comments directed towards one of their players and their family, adding that such behaviour has no place in football or wider society.
The club also said it will not tolerate personal abuse, harassment or threatening behaviour, and will take appropriate steps to support those affected and address the behaviour of those responsible. There was no suggestion from Curzon Ashton that the abuse came from Bury FC supporters.
So while Bury left with the win, the bigger talking point after the final whistle was the wider issue of online abuse and the need for better conduct away from the pitch.
