Bury vs Darlington - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Gigg Lane
After failing to score in their previous three outings, Bury welcomed the league's bottom club to Gigg Lane in the hope of seeing some chances hit the back of the net. Darlington had the league's worst goal difference and were still propping up the table going into tonight's match having lost their previous three games at the hands of Torquay, Port Vale and Bradford.
Shakers' boss Alan Knill made one change to the side that faced Dagenham and Redbridge here a few days ago, with Andy Bishop making his first starting berth for the year in place of Andy Morrell. In a side crying out for goals, the responsibility fell to Bishop and Ryan Lowe to put the unlucky run to bed.
The first notable chance of the first half fell to Bury on 13 minutes; a pinpoint cross from Buchanan on the right wing met the head of Ryan Lowe in front of goal, but under pressure from Ian Miller, it was cleared for a corner. Bury had another brilliant chance moments later following another corner from BBM on the right; Bishop got up well to head the ball goal bound, only to see Gary Dempsey block the ball on the line.
Lowe wasted a good chance on goal on 20 minutes following a confident cross-field ball from Jones on the left. He was set up with some time and space on the right of the box but sent his shot well wide of the right post. Bishop seemed to be clear on goal following a looping ball forward on the left wing from Tom Newey, but his attempt to finish the chance by the left post saw Darlington awarded a goal kick.
Substitution for Darlington on 22 minutes - Josh Gray on for Stuart Giddings
Yellow card for Darlington on 24 minutes - Gary Smith
A clever cross from Lowe on the right wing on 29 minutes saw Bishop set up in front of goal once more but his header was cleared towards the right post.
GOAL! Darlington took the lead against the run of play after Gary Smith was upended in the penalty box by Ryan Cresswell on 31 minutes. Tadhg Purcell put the ball on the spot, and sent Wayen Brown the wrong way to put the away side into the lead.
Shakers 0 Quakers 1
A well worked move for Bury on 38 minutes saw Stephen Dawson make his way into the Darlington box before squaring the ball to Bishop in front of goal, only to see his chance cleared.
GOAL! Bury brought things level on 41 minutes with a penalty of their own after Dawson was judged to have been fouled by Josh Gray in the penalty box. Putting the ball on the spot, Ryan Lowe did the honours to score his 14th goal of the season.
Shakers 1 Quakers 1
Yellow card for Darlington on 42 minutes - Tadhg Purcell
Four minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to press forward, whilst Darlington had continued to look threatening on the right hand side in the shape of Mor Diop, who kept causing Tom Newey problems.
Time was soon called on a half that seemed to start slowly but pick up some pace towards the end. It wasn't the best of starts from Bury considering they were hungry for a goal, and the penalty awarded to Darlington was the right decision but a soft one to let go. Bury seemed grateful for their own penalty moments after, sending the sides into the changing rooms at level pegging.
Half Time - Shakers 1 Quakers 1
The start of the second period saw a frustrated Bury side try to get a foothold in the game they desperately wanted to win.
A strong cross from Dawson on the right of the box on the hour mark met the feet of Ryan Lowe as he made his way to just inside the box, but he powered his effort over the bar.
Substitution for Bury on 61 minutes - Tom Elliot on for Andy Bishop
Yellow card for Darlington on 66 minutes - Gary Dempsey
Michael Jones put the ball over the bar from close range on 69 minutes after a pass from Lowe on the right of the box.
Mor Diop tried a looping effort from just inside the box on 74 minutes, which forced a good save from Wayne Brown as he tipped it over the bar.
Substitution for Bury on 78 minutes - Sam Hewson on for David Worrall
Yellow card for Darlington on 83 minutes - Mor Diop
Three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to get frustrated. Darlington had kept possession from the Shakers at various points throughout the half which irritated the players and the fans. To their credit, Darlington had snapped at Bury throughout the match and were by no means an easy side to play.
The frustration on the terraces was echoed at the final whistle by some disgruntled Bury fans who wanted three points instead of one, but it was a hard game for Bury to play against a side battling against the odds to stay in the league. The effort from the Shakers couldn't be faulted, but the problem of scoring goals from open play was still evident.
Full Time - Shakers 1 Quakers 1
Attendance - 2123 (79 visitors)
