Northampton Town hosted Bury at Sixfields on Saturday afternoon knowing that they could ill-afford any more missed opportunities to preserve their Football League status after AFC Wimbledon's stoppage-time equaliser on Tuesday night prevented the chance to draw level on points with Portsmouth.
The Shakers arrived with four points and a game in hand on their hosts and on the back of a hard-fought midweek draw at Newport County.
Northampton manager Chris Wilder brought Millwall striker John Marquis back to the club on loan deadline day and he was named in the starting XI alongside Emile Sinclair.
Bury drew first blood and it was Everton loanee Hallam Hope, on his return to Sixfields after a spell with the Cobblers earlier in the season, who scored on 18 minutes.
Marquis was putting himself about but another huge blow was delivered by Danny Mayor on 35 minutes to put the Shakers in the driving seat.
Gary Deegan and Brennan Dickenson entered the fray at half-time as news of Portsmouth being two goals ahead at Newport County filtered through to Sixfields.
Chances remained at a premium and the hosts always looked susceptible to a goal on the break, Danny Rose delivering the final nail in the coffin in the last minute of the game.
Reaction: Chris Wilder called the performance 'unacceptable' when speaking to the official club website after the game.
'We've got some big experienced players in the dressing room and they need to do better.'