BURY'S automatic promotion hopes were boosted on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over fellow contenders Wigan Athletic. The Shakers leapt above Wigan into sixth place - a strong play off position - and just one point off teams occupying the automatic promotion spots.

"The division is right," said manager Stan Ternent. "Every game for us from now until the end of the season.

"They are really important games with three points up for grabs in all of them.

"We want to get as many as we can until it is mathematically certain we are going up or in the play-offs"

With both Wigan and Bury giving little away the goalmouth action was limited.

Until the 66th minute the game had nil-nil written all over it.

Then Wigan defender John Butler obstructed Lenny Johnrose in the area.

The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Mark Carter tucked away the penalty - his fifth goal in four games.

Yet two minutes later Bury lost possession after Carter's free kick hit the wall.

The ball was walloped forward and dangerman Tony Black broke free of three defenders and finished superbly to level the score.

Ten minutes later Michael Jackson scored a timely first goal of the season.

Tony Rigby's corner was headed goal bound by Carter. Latics 'keeper Simon Farnworth stopped the ball on the line but could not prevent Jackson's follow through.

Despite a late Wigan flurry it was all over and Bury held on to all three points.

"It was a tough game, a typical derby. I thought overall we deserved the victory.

"We did make it hard for ourselves with a basic mistake that cost us the goal but all's well that ends well" said Stan.

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