A STOPPAGE-time goal from George Miller at relegation rivals Chesterfield handed manager Lee Clark a 2-1 victory in his first match in charge and moved Bury out of the League One drop zone.

Kristian Dennis had given the home side a first-half lead but the Shakers stormed back after the break.

Ryan Lowe missed a penalty for Bury after Tom Anderson was sent off for second-bottom Chesterfield.

But a late equaliser from Andrew Tutte and Miller's 92nd-minute strike secured all three points.

Newly-appointed coach Alan Thompson partnered Clark in the technical area.

But there was little change on the field as Bury's new boss kept faith with his predecessor Chris Brass's 5-3-2 formation, which had earned four points and two clean sheets in the previous two matches.

However, star striker James Vaughan missed out through injury, allowing fans' favourite Lowe to make his first start since signing from Crewe in January.

It was the 38-year-old who had the first shot of the game after plucking Jacob Mellis’ inch-perfect pass out of the air but Chesterfield stopper Thorsten Stuckmann made a smart stop down to his right.

In the 21st minute, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake crept in behind Bury centre-back Antony Kay and keeper Joe Murphy made a brilliant save at the striker’s feet.

But the stopper's luck ran out 11 minutes later when Dennis found space in behind the Shakers defence and bundled the ball into the net.

Bury rallied as half time approached but they went into the break behind as Lowe wasted the best opportunity when he lashed a shot wide after being picked out in the box by Taylor Moore.

Clark made his first substitution nine minutes into the second half, replacing Tom Pope with Miller before centre-midfielder Scott Burgess made way for 16-year-old Callum Styles soon after.

The changes added energy – especially Styles, who began to dictate the tempo of the game and enabled Bury to move up through the gears.

Bury had a massive shout for a penalty turned down in the 69th minute when Miller’s shot hit a defender’s arm and from the resulting corner Lowe crashed a header against the crossbar.

The Spireites created a glorious chance on the counter attack that Liam Grimshaw should have tucked away but he skied the opportunity when through one-on-one.

It was all Bury after that. Miller tested Stuckmann with a stinging low drive before Taylor Moore blasted the follow up over.

The pressure paid off in the 77th minute when Lowe was bundled over by Anderson in the penalty area. Referee Simon Hooper pointed straight to the spot and issued the defender a straight red card.

But Lowe’s tame spot-kick was saved by debutant Stuckmann down to his right.

Nine minutes from time Tutte pulled the Shakers level with a 25-yard pile-driver that nestled into the top right-hand corner.

And in the second minute of five added-on minutes Miller robbed the ball from goalkeeper Stuckmann to convert the winning goal, which sent the travelling 464 Shakers supporters into raptures.

Results elsewhere ensured Bury moved up to 20th place in the table, going above Port Vale on goal difference.