Reported by Eric Wood at The Deva Stadium

The Shakers won the first corner of the game after 3 minutes when the Chester defence managed to cut out the pass by Michael Jones looking for Elliott Bennett. Brian Barry-Murphy fired the corner into the six yard box looking for Efe Sodje, but the ball was punched clear by the Chester keeper. Michael Jones fired the ball back into the penalty area on the rebound but John Danby was able to collect. On 8 minutes Kevin Ellison tried to get something going for the home side when he tried to force his way into the penalty area, but the Bury defence were able to force him off the ball.

Chester was on the attack again on 15 minutes when Kevin Ellison tried to put the finishing touch on a good ball into the penalty area. Efe Sodje however was quick to react and put just enough pressure on him to force the header wide of the target. The home side had another chance when a deep ball into the penalty area went over the head of Wayne Brown, but the Bury defence were able to clear the ball from danger.

Bury had been in control of the first 30 minutes, but were lacking the finishing touch. Dave Buchanan played a good ball into the six yard box just before the half hour mark, but the ball just went over the head of Andy Bishop. Bury came close again on 27 minutes when Andy Bishop fired a good strong header at goal, which forced a save from John Danby. Andy Morrell came close to getting his second Bury goal just a few moments later when he headed the ball at goal, which forced John Danby to make an uncomfortable save.

The Shakers were beginning to pile on the pressure on 32 minutes when Brian Barry-Murphy played a free kick into the penalty area looking for Andy Bishop, but the Chester defence were able to clear the ball. Stephen Dawson managed to pick up the clearance and decided to go for goal from outside the penalty area. The shot looked set for the top left hand corner of the goal, but John Danby was able to tip the ball over the crossbar. On 35 minutes Bury returned to the attack when Elliott Bennett's long range shot was deflected wide for a corner. Brian Barry-Murphy fired the ball deep into the six yard box for Ben Futcher who tried to squeeze the ball past the right hand post, but John Danby was there again to save Chester.

The away side took the lead on 37 minutes against the run of play when a low ball into the penalty area went straight to the feet of Damien Mozika who was able to slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Goal Bury 0-1 Chester (Damien Mozika 37)

Halftime Bury 0-1 Chester

Bury were rewarded a penalty one minute into the second half when Andy Morrell was brought down just inside the penalty area. Andy Bishop stepped up to take the penalty. John Danby dived the right way, but the ball was slotted into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to tie the game.

Goal Bury 1-1 Chester (Andy Bishop 46 PEN)

The Shakers almost took the lead just a few seconds later when Michael Jones had a great opportunity to head the ball home when he had a free header on the edge of the six yard box. Jones' header had too much height however as the ball went over the crossbar. Bury came close yet again on 55 minutes when Michael Jones made a superb run into the penalty area and fired a powerful low drive at goal, which went just wide of John Danby's right hand post. After 60 minutes Bury came close to taking the lead again when Stephen Dawson played a good ball into the six yard box for Andy Morrell whose close range shot had to be quickly saved by John Danby. The Shakers had their best chance of the second half on 63 minutes when Ben Futcher fired the ball overhead at goal, but the ball smashed against the crossbar.

On 75 minutes the home side had their first chance of the second half when Damien Mozika went for goal from way outside the penalty area, which forced an easy save from Wayne Brown.

Fulltime: Bury 1-1 Chester

Bury: Wayne Brown, Paul Scott, David Buchanan, Ben Futcher, Stephen Dawson, Andy Bishop, Brian Barry-Murphy, Michael Jones (Baker 91), Efe Sodje, Andy Morrell (Hurst 81), Elliott Bennett

Subs: Ryan Cresswell, Richie Baker, Glynn Hurst, Danny Racchi, Cameron Belford

Chester: John Danby, James Vaughan, Laurence Wilson (Kelly 54), Kevin Roberts, Paul Linwood, Stephen Vaughan, Damien Mozika, Mark Hughes, Ryan Lowe, Kevin Ellison, Paul Taylor

Subs: Shaun Kelly, Anthony Barry, Richie Partridge, Jay Harris, Paul Mcmanus

Attendance: 2,327 (789 Away)