Ryan Lowe insisted the players take a long hard look at themselves after Bury’s three-year stay in League One came to an end with defeat to fellow strugglers Northampton Town.

Ash Taylor’s second goal of the game handed the Cobblers a dramatic victory in the 88th minute as he tapped home Dan Powell’s cross.

That came after the Shakers had twice equalised through Peter Clarke and Danny Mayor either side of Sam Hoskins’ goal before half-time.

The result confined bottom side Bury to relegation with four games remaining and Lowe did not mince his words afterwards.

"I'm disappointed, I'm upset, and to be honest I'm feeling a bit distraught about it all,” he said.

"There's not been enough fight, there's not been enough scrap from too many players out there.

"I want players to see what this relegation means to people, what it means to the fans.

"Unfortunately I'm not seeing enough. I don't think this relegation means enough to some players and that's pretty gutting.

"I'm gutted, 100-per-cent I am, and I'm not prepared to take all the responsibility for this relegation.

"The players out there need to take more responsibility, and that's been the case too often over these past few games.

"We're conceding goals too easily, and that's so hard for me to take.”

Powell had already forced Bury keeper Joe Murphy into action before the Cobblers took the lead in the sixth minute.

Matt Grimes' in-swinging corner-kick was flicked home by Cobblers' skipper Taylor.

The goal was greeted by near silence by the home supporters, but their side responded brilliantly and were level five minutes later.

Zeli Ismail's corner-kick was punched dreadfully by Northampton keeper Richard O'Donnell, straight into the path of Bury skipper Clarke, who volleyed home from five yards.

Minutes later George Miller charged through down the right, but was denied by O'Donnell from a tight angle.

Northampton sub Hoskins then made an immediate impact just past the half-hour mark.

Barely two minutes after coming on to replace the injured Kevin Van Veen, Hoskins latched on to Grimes' measured through-ball before beating Murphy from 15 yards.

The Cobblers were thwarted by the woodwork in the 43rd minute when John-Joe O'Toole headed against the base of a post.

O'Toole missed the first clear opportunity of the second period, heading inches wide as he rose superbly to meet Grimes' corner.

Both Shay Facey and Hoskins went mighty close to adding a third Northampton goal but the Shakers rallied again, and bagged themselves a second leveller with 16 minutes left.

Danny Mayor made it 2-2, dancing past two weak challenges before hammering home. But it wasn't enough, however, as Taylor struck again late on.

"We've still got a few games left to play, and I'll be ruthless in my team selections,” added Lowe.

"We've got some great young players at the club, but you have to wonder when the best time is to throw them in.

"Maybe now it's time to give them a chance. If you're good enough you're old enough.

"The future is bright, but for now it's just so disappointing."

Bury: (4-5-1): Murphy 6, Cooney 7, Clarke 5, Thompson 6 (Adams 72 6), Styles 6, Mayor 7, Edwards 7, Ismail 7 (Dai 45 6), Miller 5, Danns 5, Hanson 5 (Bunn 46 6).

Subs not used: Ripley, Tutte, Ince, Shotton.

Northampton: (4-4-2): O'Donnell, Facey, Taylor, Barnett, Buchanan, Powell, McWilliams (Long 82), Grimes, Bridge (Crooks 67), O'Toole, Van Veen (Hoskins 31).

Subs not used: Cornell, Turnbull, Whaler, Foley.

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Attendance: 3,117