MATCH-WINNER Ryan Lowe is determined to go on and finish the job after Bury seized control of the race for automatic promotion with a club record seventh straight away victory.

The 36-year-old striker headed home the only goal of the game against Portsmouth on Saturday, making a clever late run into the box to finish off a pinpoint cross from Joe Riley in the 44th minute.

Bury’s latest victory moved them to within two points of third-placed Wycombe, with a game in hand, after Gareth Ainsworth’s men could only draw at Wimbledon.

And they can leapfrog the Chairboys with another three points at home to fellow promotion chasers Southend on Tuesday night.

“We’ve given ourselves a great chance now, but it’s just another game,” said Lowe, after scoring his 10th goal of the season.

“It’s hard for me and the lads to keep our feet on the ground because we know what is around the corner, but we’ve got a job to do to get to where we want to be.

“It’s another one ticked off, but we’ve got another three (games) to go.”

Portsmouth had the better of the opening 30 minutes, with star midfielder Jed Wallace running the show for the home side.

Bury goalkeeper Nick Pope had to be on his toes to stop the 21-year-old adding to his tally of 16 goals for the season.

He twice tipped behind shots that were heading for the top corner before standing tall to get his body in the way of a close-range effort.

Tom Eaves had the best chance for Bury in the opening exchanges, getting in behind the Pompey defence before Nyron Nosworthy weighed in with a saving tackle.

Despite that effort, Eaves cut a frustrated figure in the lone striker’s role and he was replaced by Lowe after half an hour.

The veteran front man, who fired Bury to their last promotion from League Two in 2010/11, used all his guile and experience to give the visitors a foothold in the game.

Clever movement helped him find acres of space in the six-yard box to meet Riley’s clipped cross.

“I thought it was a great goal,” said Lowe. “Riley has done well to pick me out. Maybe the defenders thought it was going to the near stick, I don’t know, but I’ve just created a bit of space and to be fair Riles has put it on a plate. In football we call that a buffet ball.”

Bury put in a professional performance to see out the second half, but they had Pope to thank for a sixth straight clean sheet away from home after the stopper reacted quickly to bravely dive at the feet of Pompey captain Danny Hollands 10 minutes from time.

That save sealed a first win for Bury at Fratton Park since 1968, and Flitcroft was quick to praise a performance he said was full of character.

“Portsmouth moved the ball better first half. It was only the last 10 minutes of the first half that we got to grips with it,” he said.

“But after we went 1-0 up we’ve successfully shut the game out and the resolve, character and determination to keep another clean sheet away from home was incredible.”

BURY (4-4-2): Pope 9; Riley 8, Cameron 9, El-Abd 8, Hussey 8; Etuhu 8 (Sedgwick 7 72); Craig Jones 7, Tutte 7, Soares 7, Mayor 8 (Rose 6 81); Eaves 6 (Lowe 9 31).

Not used: Lainton, Adams, O'Brien, Nardiello.

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): Jones; Devera, Webster, Nosworthy (Ertl 66), Shorey; Atangana, Close (May 85), Wallace, Hollands; Westcarr, Tubbs (Chaplin 69).

Not used: Poke, Fogden, Butler.

Goals: Portsmouth 0 Bury 1 (Lowe 44).

Yellow cards: None.

Referee: James Adcock.

Attendance: 14,569 (499 visiting).

STAR MAN: Ryan Lowe – Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The fans’ favourite has endured a frustrating season by his own account after failing to earn a consistent run in the starting line-up due to injury and selection. But when called upon he has always done a job and on Saturday the stage was made for him. He made no mistake when Joe Riley put the ball on a plate for him then led the line brilliantly to ensure Bury earned a rare – and potentially decisive – victory at Fratton Park.