SUPER-SUB Tom Pope scored 20 seconds after coming on to give Bury a dramatic 3-2 win against Peterborough United on Tuesday night.

Pope headed in Chris Hussey’s left-wing corner moments after entering the pitch to give his side a sixth straight win in September following a remarkable match which saw the lead continually change hands.

The Shakers were a goal and a man up inside 30 minutes as Leon Clarke made it three goals in two matches following a red card to Posh’s Erhun Oztumer.

It had been plain sailing until that point for the visitors as they looked to make it 16 away matches without defeat and continue their ascent up the League One table.

But they were rocked by two almost identical goals from Peterborough defender Gabriel Zakuani a few minutes either side of half-time after he twice headed in unmarked from corners.

It was then left to Bury’s own goal-scoring centre-half Nathan Cameron to classily sweep in a strike before Pope scored his fourth goal of the season.

Posh were playing their first home match under new boss Graham Westley, but even before Oztumer’s red card the Shakers dominated play for the first 25 minutes.

The decision to then send the Turk off took place in odd circumstances with neither the Bury players protesting at his late challenge on Craig Jones nor the Posh players offering many complaints about referee Steve Martin’s decision.

Nevertheless, it did not take long for Bury to strike as three minutes later Posh’s Michael Bostwick failed to get hold of the ball inside his own half following a clearance by his goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.

The ball came to Mellis who slid a lovely slide-rule pass down the inside left where Clarke had peeled away, and the striker calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing Alnwick to give his side the lead.

The hosts had come from behind in their last home match with 10 men to salvage a draw and their reward for a fine spell of pressure before half-time was to see Zakuani flick in Marcus Maddison’s right-wing corner.

Both sides made half-time substitutions with Hallum Hope replacing Jacob Mellis for Bury and Jon Taylor replacing Coulibaly for Posh.

And from Taylor’s left-wing corner just after the break Zakuani again flicked on to give his side the lead.

Danny Rose soon came on for Jones as Bury pushed for an equaliser. Danny Pugh then poked a shot wide as the Shakers started to threaten the home goal, while at the other end Michael Smith wriggled into space and played in Lee Angol, but with just Rob Lainton to beat he put his shot wide.

Posh were made to pay on 64 minutes as Tom Soares flicked the ball on and Cameron met it first time on the bounce from inside the area and stroked it past Alnwick for his second goal in three matches.

Soares then headed wide in front of goal before Pope sealed the win on 80 minutes after his header went underneath the body of Alnwick.