Precious Panter strike seals promotion play-off place for Poppies

The Poppies are now potentially just two games away from securing promotion out of the Pitching-In Southern League Premier with a trip to Real Bedford on Wednesday night in the semi-final their first hurdle.

It wasn't quite a replica weekend of the now infamous Kettering away day at Tiverton Town back in 2002.

But a huge travelling hoard in buoyant mood under glorious Suffolk skies certainly evoked some of those memories - as did the constant updates from fans around the ground keeping tabs on the three other matches that would influence the final day drama.

For Liam McDonald's men, the task was pretty simple - win and nothing else across the country mattered.

But credit must be given to hosts Bury who were a real credit to themselves, in a game that had nothing other than home pride resting on it.

They could have taken the lead with four minutes when Oliver Canfer was through on goal and got beyond Paul White who erratically flew out of his area, doing just enough to force Canfer wide and stop him putting the ball into an empty net.

Six minutes later and George Quantrell was allowed to unleash a shot inside the box but thankfully for Kettering fans it went just wide of the left post.

After the two early warnings, Kettering found their feet and controlled the rest of the first half.

Man of the match (for both sides) was Bury keeper Charlie Beckwith who pulled off a number of superb saves.

Two of them came in quick succession on 12 minutes to first deny Eddie Panter from eight yards and then parried away Ismael Fatadjo's follow-up effort.

The ball still wasn't clear and Panter was able to head the ball towards goal only for it to be hacked to safety off the line.

Panter continued to threaten at will, forcing another great save on 18 minutes from a tight angle and arrowed a shot over the bar two minutes later as Kettering got closer and closer.

Andi Thanoj sent a first time hit from 20 yards out towards goal but again Beckwith was up to the challenge and the Blues' shot-stopper was at it again on 36 minutes to palm away another Panter shot.

But three minutes later, the final defence was breached. A launched ball forward found Panter to the left of the area - he was able to cut in to beat defender Joe White and fire low at the near post.

Going it at half-time, fans did feel that several more goals should have been added to the tally to make things comfortable.

And those worries nearly came to fruition in the second half as Bury pushed their visitors deeper and deeper into their own half.

Quantrell put in a superb pass across the face of goal on the hour mark which couldn't be turned home - But it was the first of several clear-cut chances that on another day would have seen Bury take the lead.

Captain Cemal Ramadan forced a superb block by White soon after and the Irishman made an even better save low down on 66 minutes to keep out another Quantrell driven shot.

Substitute Jamie McGrath's header on 69 minutes was goal bound and again needed to be tipped over the bar - before the offside flag was eventually raised.

Harvey Peters had the Poppies best chance to double the lead soon after when Lewis Coyle's bending free kick was headed just wide - despite the defender making the perfect contact with the ball.

Seven minutes of stoppage time was shown to make the nerves jangle some more for the Kettering supporters.

But with news filtering through that Banbury United had beaten Needham Market, fans knew that a draw was going to be enough to see the Poppies through and the final moments became a celebration.

Joyous final whistle scenes erupted with fans and players alike enjoying a party and a sing on the pitch.

Some will feel that the celebrations were possibly premature as the real work now begins.

However, Liam McDonald and his squad should be congratulated for making it this far and you can forgive a little enthusiasm.

You can only imagine the Bank Holiday Monday scenes should Kettering win the dream prize of a return back to the National League North.