Bury vs. Morecambe - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Gigg Lane

After getting back to winning ways on Friday night at home to Shrewsbury, Bury returned to home turf again to face a Morecambe side pushing towards the play off positions. The Shrimps were beaten away at lowly Cheltenham before this match, but had been on a good run beforehand, beating Burton and Darlington. Alan Knill named two changes to the side who took all three points from Shrewsbury, with Efe Sodje sitting this one out due to suspension and paving the way from Ryan Cresswell. David Worrall had fallen foul to an ankle injury and Manchester United loanee Sam Hewson stepped in to fill the gap.

The return fixture earlier this season also took place on a cold Tuesday night and saw Morecambe take three points after they scored three goals, but Bury's recent improved form predicted a more even contest.

A poor back pass from Bentley on 5 minutes set Ryan Lowe up inside the box; shooting from the right, his effort was blocked by Barry Roche at the near post and away for a Bury corner. Taken by BBM on the right, it was aimed for Futcher's head at the far post but it was well wide.

Morecambe's first real chance arrived on 13 minutes as Phil Jevons sent a well-placed pass out wide for Craig Stanley on right wing. The resulting cross from Stanley was dangerous but Wayne Brown got down well to smother the danger.

The Shrimps next tested the Bury keeper on 22 minutes after some clever play between Jevons and Duffy on the edge of the box which saw Duffy ultimately try a long rang curling effort, but it was no threat to Brown who gathered the ball comfortably.

A long clearance forward from Dawson on 26 minutes fell kindly for Ryan Lowe as he powered up the field whilst flanked by Bentley and Haining. As Lowe tried to tee up a cheeky lob, Bentley got in front of him and touched the ball back to Roche in the Shrimps goal.

Yellow card for Morecambe on 37 minutes - Emmanuel Panther

Duffy made a good run down the left wing on 42 minutes before crossing the ball into the box looking for Jevons. The loose ball fell to Mullin at close range but Brown did well to halt the danger.

One minute of added time was indicated by the fourth official as Morecambe had possession, and after a little domestic between Cresswell and Lowe, time was soon called. Bury had plenty of chances to break the deadlock, whilst Morecambe replied with some close calls of their own. The Shakers looked a lot better side than the one that was steamrolled at Christie Park back in December, and a second half with more chances beckoned.

Half Time - Shakers 0 Shrimps 0

Dawson fired well over the bar on 51 minutes after working the ball into the box from the right whilst under pressure from the Morecambe defence.

A neat cross field pass from Lowe on the left on 58 minutes gave Hewson time to tee up either a long range shot from the edge of the box, or set up Michael Jones as he ran past him on the right. Opting for the second choice, Jones was then threaded through but the ball bobbled as he struck it; Roche got down well to block it and send the ball out of play.

Yellow card for Morecambe on 60 minutes - Laurence Wilson

Stanley broke clear on 65 minutes as Bury's defence seemed to open up; he tried a shot from the right of the box but Scott got an important touch to it, giving Morecambe a corner.

Substitution for Bury on 66 minutes - Andy Bishop on for Andy Morrell

Dawson picked up the ball on the left wing on 71 following a clearance from the back; after losing his marker and crossing into the box, the ball fell to Jones as he paced forward but his shot was wide of the right post.

Substitution for Morecambe on 76 minutes - Wayne Curtis on for Phil Jevons

Substitution for Bury on 81 minutes - Danny Racchi on for Sam Hewson

Bishop sent in a dangerous cross from the right on 82 minutes after Jones had passed the ball out wide; looking for the head of Lowe but his effort was just wide of the left post.

A neat through ball from Newey on 88 minutes opened up a brilliant chance for Dawson on the right of the box, but he put the ball over the bar.

Substitution for Morecambe on 88 minutes - Michael Twiss on for Garry Hunter

Four minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to press forward.

Yellow card for Morecambe in added time - Paul Mullin

Time was soon called as Bury finished the game wondering how they hadn't scored. They tried to push forward continuously but couldn't hit the target. Morecambe had their chances too and could have caught the Shakers on the break, but a goalless draw was the end result. It was by no means a boring game with plenty of chances for the home side, but sadly nothing to savour. Bury travel down south to Barnet at the weekend looking for a win, whilst still being in the automatic promotion places.

Full Time - Shakers 0 Shrimps 0

Attendance - 2222 (163 visitors