SUPER-sub Andy Morrell stepped from the bench to reignite Bury's push for promotion with a timely brace that catapulted his side back into the play-off mix.

The Shakers, who broke their duck in front of goal when Tony James turned the ball into his own net after just nine minutes, bounced back from their 5-0 mauling at Notts County on Saturday with their biggest victory of the season.

It took them until midway through the second half before the points were finally safe but manager Alan Knill was left feeling relieved at the final whistle after a horror run of just four points from a possible 24 had seen his side slide down the table.

“The first goal was exactly what we needed – a little bit of luck,” said Knill. “Then Mozza came on and scored two good goals.

“Full credit to the players for standing up to be counted. They lost 5-0 on Saturday and I haven't forgot that.

“We said some things to the players after that game but they did well against Burton and all of a sudden we have gone from zero to hero again.

“I still believe the top three is attainable because there are six games left. We have got six cup finals left and we want to win all six..”

It was ironic that it took a huge slice to luck to get Bury back on track in front of goal.

After going more than 15 hours without scoring from open play, the dubious honour off ending that record fell at the feet off Burton's Tony James – and he didn't pass up the opportunity.

Good work from Ryan Lowe saw the goal open up for David Worrall and the young winger was a relieved man when his scuffed shot, which was heading wide, was turned into his own goal by James.

The home side were suddenly full of confidence and could have added to their score before half-time.

Leading scorer Lowe, restored to the team after serving his three-match suspension, should have done better on a couple of occasions.

First he shot wide after good work from the impressive James Poole down the left before the same players combined on the stroke of the break.

Tricky winger Poole, on loan from Manchester City, skinned his marker and sent in a perfect cross but Lowe could only head the ball wide of the post.

The Shakers started brightly in the second half and Lowe forced Artur Krysiak into a save before Poole stabbed an effort wide after being teed up by Andy Bishop.

The chances kept coming and Ryan Cresswell, unmarked in the area, headed straight at the keeper after being picked out by Brian Barry-Murphy's dangerous corner.

Morrell was summoned from the bench as Bury sought to put the game to bed and the veteran striker made sure of the points with just 14 minutes left when he nipped in front of James and poked home his seventh goal of the season.

Knill's men were determined to make up for lost time and Bishop saw a free-kick tipped over the bar before Morrell added a third with just four minutes remaining. Worrall got behind the Brewers defence and squared for the hitman to net his second of the game.

The celebrations were tempered in injury time, though, when substitute Mike Jones was dismissed for a second bookable offence seconds before the final whistle but Bury were just thankful for three points.

BURY: Brown 8, Scott 7, Cresswell 8, Sodje 8, Buchanan 7, Worrall 7, Dawson 8, Barry-Murphy 8, Poole 8 (Jones 6, 73), Bishop 7 (Carlton 6, 86), Lowe 7 (Morrell 8, 67). Subs not used: Hewson, Futcher, Carlton, Belford, Newey.

BURTON: Krysiak 6, Corbett 6 (Parkes 6, 58), Webster 7, Kelly 6, James 4, Boco 5 (Maghoma 6, 65), Pearson 6, Taylor 6, McGrath 6, Penn 7, Kabba 6 (Harrad 6, 58). Subs not used: Poole, Gilroy, Phillips, Boertien.

Attendance: 2,710 (307 Burton fans)

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham)