INSTEAD of celebrating Bury were left to ponder what might have been after Darlington leap-frogged into the coveted last automatic promotion spot.

At half time on Saturday everything was running to plan for Bury. They were winning 1-0 courtesy of a Mark Carter penalty after Dean West had been fouled on the half hour.

It could have been more two minutes later but Phil Stant hit the crossbar with his powerful header.

Neighbours Rochdale were holding Plymouth to a goalless draw and Darlington were in the same position. Automatic promotion seemed in the bag for Bury.

By full time it was a different story. Assistant manager Noel Blake had levelled the score for Exeter.

Neil Warnock's frantic screams had helped Plymouth to victory and Darlington's strike force had surged into action.

Bury are no longer in the driving seat but are passengers as they wait for Darlington to slip up at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"We are very disappointed" said defender Chris Lucketti, "but we are not out of it yet."

Victory over Cardiff City is vital for the Shakers but it may not be enough to see them go straight up the dreaded play-offs beckon again.

To rub salt into their wounds, the draw at Exeter means Bury failed to equal the club's away record of 1960/1 of 12 wins in a season.

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