 Bury finished three points above the Third Division drop zone in 1985–86.They then finished comfortably in mid-table in 1986–87, 1987–88, and 1988–89.Sam Ellis then took over as manager, and led the club to the play-offs with a fifth-place finish in 1989–90 – they were then beaten by Tranmere Rovers at the semi-final stage.