BURY survived to fight another year after securing their League One status despite a final-day defeat at Southend.

Gillingham’s goalless draw at Northampton means the Shakers beat the drop with a one-point cushion on fourth-bottom Port Vale, who were relegated following a goalless draw against Fleetwood.

Stephen McLaughlin’s first-half strike was all that separated the two sides on a nervy afternoon at Roots Hall.

The Blues waited anxiously on the pitch after the final whistle to see if they rose into the final play-off places, but they were denied by Millwall, who beat Bristol Rovers 4-3 following a late goal.

Lee Clark kept faith with the same side that thumped Northampton 3-0 last weekend.

Under-18s midfielder Will Ferry was named on the bench for the first time alongside winger Danny Mayor, who returned from a three-month lay-off.

Bury were given a warning shock early on when Ryan Leonard struck the base of Joe Murphy’s post inside four minutes.

Striker Simon Cox then led a three-on-three counter-attack but he lacked the final product – dragging his shot wide from the edge of the box.

The Shakers struggled to compete against the Blues and Leon Barnett’s poor header was punished when McLaughlin volleyed home the opener in the 23rd minute.

Andrew Tutte had Bury’s first shot of the game but it effectively summed up their first-half performance – cannoning back off the roof of the stand.

Clark gave his side only five second-half minutes before opting for change. Super-sub George Miller replaced Tom Pope as the Bury boss looked to sharpen his forward line.

Winger Mayor came on for his first match since January, replacing veteran striker Ryan Lowe.

But the Blues continued to dominate as Cox failed to connect properly with McLaughlin’s cross before Leonard tested Murphy with a 30-yard piledriver.

News of Bristol Rovers pegging Millwall back to 3-3 reached Roots Hall and the ground erupted as the Blues rose back into a play-off position.

The hosts took the initiative to try and wrap up the win but Murphy was having none of it as he denied Marc-Antoine Fortune from point-blank range.

But Millwall regained the lead and then Gillingham’s final score reached Roots Hall, meaning the Shakers supporters celebrated wildly as they saw their side play out six minutes of added time.