With just two minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Craig Neal’s goal indicated that Ely would have something to show for their hard efforts against ‎The Blues.

However, a fantastic 30-yard strike from Bury’s Darren Mills silenced the home crowd, and the travelling side went home with the win.

The first game played under Ely’s newly named ground the ‘Ellgia Stadium’ started quickly, with both teams playing some good attacking football early on.

It was the visitors Bury who created the first real chance in the friendly tie, when a good one-two pass on the edge of the 18-yard box allowed playmaker Tommy Robinson to drill a low shot into the bottom corner that Harry Reynolds got down to save well.

Shortly after, Robinson made amends for his missed chance. After some good wing play he cut inside, attempting to cross the ball to the target man Mills in the centre, but the cross traveled on past Reynolds to give Bury the lead.

Into injury time in the first half, a deep free kick from Ely reached Alex Theobald in the Bury penalty area. Flicking it in the direction of the new signing Nick Heap, the winger blitzed down the byline and sent a good cross in for Sam Reed to tap home and square things up at the break.

Mid-way through the second half, Bury Town’s Noel Aikens made a great run into the Ely penalty area to volley home a lofted through ball that caught out The Robins defence.

In the 88th minute, forward Ryan Williams beat his man on the left wing and sent in a low cross that found Neal unmarked from 12-yards out. After finding his footing, he smashed his effort onto the underside of the crossbar and it bounced in and beyond the goal line.

But it was Bury who had the last laugh. A counter attack found Mills unmarked in the centre of the pitch from about 30-yards out. With no options available either side of him, he sweetly struck the ball on the outside of his boot leaving Reynolds helpless, and Bury going home the victors.

Ely: Harry Reynolds,Daniel Jeffrey, Jamie Alsop (C),Liam Griffin, Tom Williams (James Godden, 62), Ollie Brookes, Nick Heap (Dom Hunt, 62), Ash Walter, Ryan Williams, Alex Theobald (Craig Neal, 62),Sam Reed (Tom Thulborn, 55)

Report by Harry Davies