It was a tale of woe for both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, with the blue half of the Steel City also losing 3-1, at Burnley. But the defeat inflicted by the Shakers was much more damaging, as the Gigg Lane side had yet to win in S2 for 3 generates, their last coming on 7 February 1925, when a single goal was enough.
United looked like they would salvage a point from this this fixture when Billy Sharp fired home from the penalty spot - cancelling out Tom Pope's opener, but with five minutes remaining full-back Joe Riley unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards which flew into Mark Howard's top corner, a goal that would be worthy of any Premier League highlights. With the Blades chasing a point, former Wednesday and Coventry striker Leon Clarke was unmarked to lob the ball over Howard to secure the points in stoppage time.
Prior to the game, midfielder Chris Basham had urged his fellow team mates to make a rip roaring start after a two week absence, following an international break. His team mates responded thus, and their 14 shots on goal to Bury's 6 supports this, but despite starting on the front foot, where unable to break down a solid opposition defence. In the early exchanges Conor Sammon was inches away from connecting to a Freeman cross in what was a first half with little chances.
The Blades began to launch quick balls into attack, one from Edgar, but it failed to reach its intended target whilst Sammon continued to strike as a threat. Halfway through the first 45 minutes, Lainton, in the Bury goal, parried the on-loan forward's header to safety after Campbell-Ryce crossed.
Liois Reed swept a free-kick past Lainton's left upright and moments later he scuffed a shot wide following his one-two with Sammon. As tempers boiled Tom Soares was fortunate to escape the referee's book for a second time in the game as the first half drew to a goalless close.
United again started well on the front foot, but Bury were keen to prevent any flowing football with rashes challenges that didn't go unnoticed by referee David Webb, substitute Brown clattered into Campbell-Ryce as tempers once again began to boil. Sammon peeled off his marker but saw his shot blocked.
Chances began to flow a plenty and Collins, after Woolford delivered a corner, headed over the top as the Blades attacked the Kop end in the second half. United were rewarded with 14 corners to Bury's 1 and despite Collins connecting on this occasion, deliveries were barely met with a positive strike.
Just past the hour mark, having been on the field for just a few minutes, substitute POPE punished United for slack defending, Danny Mayor's shot, after Jay McEverley was caught in possession, was deflected and caused a scramble in the box with the former Rotherham striker hitting the final shot into the net. Shortly afterwards Clarke was foiled by the legs of Howard as the visitors surged for a second.
With 20 minutes remaining their confidence was hit with a timely blow, Kieran Wallace was tripped just inside the box and SHARP duly despatched, in front of a relieved Kop. Instigator Riley, who was the culprit for giving away the spot kick, made amends with five minutes remaining. Unmarked, and a clear sight of goal, and about 30 yards out, RILEY unleashed a rocket of a shot, it was too good for Howard.
The game was signed and sealed, on Bury's part, two minutes into stoppage time, with Hussey finding CLARKE, who, inside the penalty box, chipped the ball over Howard and it nestled into the far bottom corner.
The result leaves the Blades 5th in the table, but can make amends when they host Colchester on Tuesday night.
Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp, Collins, Woolford (McNulty 82), Sammon, McEveley, Campbell-Ryce (Flynn 60), Reed (K Wallace 60), Edgar. Not used: Scougall, Alcock, Higdon, Long.
Bury: Lainton, Riley, Hussey, Tutte (Brown 38), P Clarke, Mellis (Pugh 70), L Clarke, Mayor, Jones (Pope 57), Soares, Cameron. Not used: Dudley, Rose, Ruddy, Foulds.
Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Attendance: 20,708