TEN-MAN Bury AFC produced a stunning Boxing Day comeback to beat Chadderton 3-2. 

All the action came in the second half with skipper Scott Metcalfe dismissed for a challenge on Harry Dean shortly after the interval.

The visitors then took the lead just after the hour mark through Joseph Richards with an own goal from AFC substitute Jordan Downing doubling their advantage.

Downing then scored at the right end with a header to bring the hosts back into the game on 72 minutes. But it was that man Tom Greaves again who grabbed the headlines again for the North West Counties First Division North leaders.

The prolific frontman stepped up to find the back of the net not once, but twice, to turn the game around and generate the kind of dramatic scenes that have become commonplace at the Neuven Stadium so far this season.

After a quiet first period all the drama came in the second 45 minutes.

Just 20 seconds in, Metcalfe overran the ball only to meet Dean with a two-footed tackle and the referee immediately reached for his pocket for the red card.

With chances at a premium and gaps opening up at the back for the 10-man hosts, a goal would no doubt change the game. And just after the hour mark, the visitors took the lead.

Jimmy Moore attempted to shepherd the ball out of play was dispossessed by Richards who with his next touch slid his shot past a stranded Kai Calderbank-Park with a cool finish on 63 minutes

More was to follow seven minutes later, as a free-kick from the Chadderton left was intercepted by the retreating Downing, but instead of clearing the ball away, the ball was tucked into the far corner of his own goal.

Liam MacDevitt had joined Downing on the pitch and both substitutes would have an influence on the game as the home side looked to peg Chadderton back.

Downing would make the first big impact, as he began the comeback by rising highest to meet an Aiden Chippendale corner 18 minutes from time.

Greaves then got his first of the afternoon three minutes later, ghosting in at the back post to head across Fleet and level things up to the delight of the home fans.

With the pressure placed on the Chaddy goal going into the final five minutes, MacDevitt made a darting run into the penalty area and was brought down. Up stepped Greaves and the biggest surprise was when Harrison Fleet managed to save the initial shot but with defenders scrambling the ball bounced back to the striker who sent the 150 in attendance wild by finishing on the volley.

AFC next travel to Barrow side Holker Old Boys for their first game of 2021 on Saturday.