Richie Barker made three changes to the Shakers line which started the derby defeat at Spotland with Mark Hughes, Ryan Doble and Lenell John-Lewis replacing Ashley Eastham, David Worrall and Andy Bishop who all dropped to the bench as Bury travelled down to The Valley for the first time since a 0 - 0 draw fourteen years ago to the day...

The Shakers, in their all black away kit and playing a 4 - 5 - 1 formation again, defended the goal behind which their 200 or so travelling supporters were based as Charlton got the game under way.

Bury had the first serious attempt on goal on two minutes when Coke showed good control on the edge of the area but his effort went a couple of yards wide of Hamer's goal.

Charlton came close to opening the scoring on 12 minutes when a free kick was swung in from the left by Danny Green and Kermorgant's header was gathered at the second attempt by Belford and the young Shakers custodian did brilliantly to block another Kermorgant effort from ten yards after ex-Shaker Dale Stephens played a lovely ball through to him on the edge of the box on fifteen minutes.

The Addicks were pouring forward at every opportunity at this stage but the Bury defence, marshalled ably by Efe Sodje who was making his 500th League appearance, stood resolute and cleared without resorting to hoofing the ball upfield and the Shakers broke quickly down the right hand side following a cleared free kick on 22 minutes and a good cross from Amoo reached Giles Coke on the edge of the six yard box but his deft flick had no power and Hamer gathered safely at his near post.

On the half hour a great ball in from the left hand flank by Rhoys Wiggins was met by Leon Clarke at full stretch but Belford produced a stunning save down by his right hand post to push the ball away and the danger was cleared by Picken.

The Shakers first corner of the game arrived on 36 minutes following good work by Ryan Doble down the left but the ball was cleared without a Bury player having an effort on goal but three minutes later from a Schumacher free kick, given for a foul on Sweeney, Lenell John-Lewis lost his marker and fired in a good header but the ball went a yard over the bar from 10 yards. Just two minutes later though "The Shop" opened the scoring when he finished off superbly by hammering home past Hamer from 15 yards following a brilliant reverse pass from Doble which left the Addicks defence flat-footed.

GOAL: John-Lewis 41 mins

Yellow card: Danny Green 43 minutes (foul on Skarz)

Half time: Charlton Athletic 0 - 1 Bury FC

Bury got the second half underway with neither side having made any changes and within sixty seconds had a corner when Schumacher's shot from the edge of the box, following great work down the right by David Amoo, was deflected wide by Solly but, alas, the corner came to nothing.

On 48 minutes Kermorgant found himself in acres of space 30 yards out as the Shakers defence backed off and the Frenchman decided to try his luck but the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar

On 51 Clarke's flick from eight yards out just went over the angle of bar and post as the former Swindon hitman got on the end of a Jackson cross from the left.

A couple of minutes later and Belford punched away a stinging drive from Green and from the resulting corner Danny Hollands should have done better when he planted his header over the bar from six yards out as the Shakers faced increasing pressure from the home side. Seconds later a glorious cross from Green swept right across the six yard box but fortunately for the Shakers there was no red shirt on the end of it.

Bury SUB: Worrall on for Doble (57 mins)

With the home crowd getting increasingly restless Charlton stepped up a gear but Bury repelled every attack they mounted and were finding their men with some crisp first time passes although Clarke did flash a header wide on 65 minutes.

On 71 minutes Bury sprung the |Addicks offside trap and Ammo burst into the box but the youngster chose to square the ball into space when perhaps a shot on goal was the better option as Bury found themselves three on two with the reds defence.

Charlton SUB: Haynes on for Clarke (72 mins)

A minute later and Bury survived a strong penalty shout for handball as Wiggins shot seemed to catch Skarz but Mr D'Urso pointed for a goal kick.

On 81 Belford did well to palm away a Green corner under pressure as Worrall lay injured in the centre circle and as he made his way to the touchline he was pushed by Reds 'keeper Hamer who should have seen a yellow card at the very least.

Charlton SUB: Pritchard on for Hollands (84 mins)

Bury SUB: Bishop on for Worrall and Carrington on for Coke (85 mins)

Charlton were throwing everything at the Shakers as they searched for an equalizer but Bury were chasing and closing down in a much better showing than Saturday and still looked dangerous on the break

On 88 minutes Sweeney did well to deflect a Dale Stephens shot wide for a corner and as the ball was cleared the same player shot narrowly wide from 20 yards with a fine effort but the Shakers goal remained intact.

A minute later Sweeney gave away a free kick 20 yards from goal as he fouled Jackson but, as the fourth official held the board up signalling an extra five minutes, Kermorgant's effort curled over Cameron Belford's crossbar.

Yellow Card: Stephens (Foul on John-Lewis 90+2)

The free kick came to nothing and the Addicks broke quickly down the right and Green's cross was blocked superbly by Belford and the ball cannoned out of the box where it fell to Dale Stephens and the former Bury man crashed home a superb strike from fully 25 yards.

GOAL: Stephens (90+4 mins)

Within a minute Mr D'Urso had blown for full time and the Addicks unbeaten home record was preserved. It was cruel on Bury as their play didn't deserve it but I think most Shakers would have settled for a point before the game. It was an excellent performance all round but, for me, the Shakers Man of the Match was Efe Sodje as the old boy rolled back the years with a sterling performance at the heart of the Bury defence.

Full time: Charlton Athletic 1 - 1 Bury FC

Referee: Mr Andy D'Urso
Assistants: Mr M Bull and Mr I Rathbone
Fourth Official: Mr I Cooper
Attendance: 13,264 (270)