Bury missed out on promotion by the slimmest of margins following a cruel penalty shoot-out defeat against Wythenshawe Town in the play-off final.

There was nothing to separate the sides after 90 minutes, with Dean Pinnington cancelling out Sam Sheridan’s opener.

But the hosts edged a tense shoot-out despite Harry Wright’s best efforts to book their place in the Northern Premier League.

Dave McNabb’s side started on the front foot, with Connor Comber forcing Greg Hall into an early save.

Tanaka Cherera, who was looking to build on his heroics against Charnock Richard in the semi-final, threatened from the resulting corner but Hall was able to gather.

Max Harrop sent an ambitious free kick wide before Thomas Bentham failed to hit the target at the other end.

Bury continued to ask questions of the Wythenshawe backline and Comber was again denied by Hall after combining with Harrop.

The hosts nearly went in front six minutes before the break but Wright made a smart stop to deny Bentham.

The Shakers were forced into a change on the stroke of half time when Sam Coughlan replaced the injured Billy Reeves. Andy Briggs also came on in place of Harrop for the start of the second half.

Coughlan was immediately involved in the action as he tried his luck but didn’t get all of it, and Hall saved.

Briggs then went close to breaking the deadlock after Wythenshawe were caught out by Wright’s long ball.

The hosts took the lead moments later when Bury were caught on the ball and Sheridan kept his cool to fire home.

Pinnington and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson also entered the fray as Bury searched for an equaliser. The former had a shot on goal but Hall was again equal to the danger.

He kept knocking on the door and got his reward seven minutes from time, slotting home after a good run.

Neither side were able to find a winner in the final stages and it proved to be Wythenshawe’s day after the lottery of penalties.