Burton Albion vs Bury - Reported by Hannah Ingram at the Pirelli Stadium

After an important win at home to Rotherham last weekend, the Shakers travelled down to Derbyshire to meet league newcomers Burton Albion. Both teams were occupying mid-table positions going into the match, with Burton sporting a good home record, whilst Bury boasting one of the best away records in the league. The Shakers were still struggling with injuries but after proving this could be overcome the previous week, the team were full of high spirits. An unbeaten record of eight games had given Bury the confidence boost they had needed since the start of the season after the play-off heartache, and they took this feeling into today's match.

Bury were quick off the mark straight from the start of the match, with Lowe latching onto a loose ball in front of goal within the first minute. Krysiak in the Burton goal bravely came forward to gather the ball, but Bury kept on pressing. Some good work by Lowe on 9 minutes saw Bury win the first corner of the match, but it eventually came to nothing after Jones sent it too deep. Burton won a corner not long after, but it fell to Cresswell who confidently cleared the danger with his head from the edge of the box.

Some tricky footwork between Buchanan, Dawson and Baker on 15 minutes saw Baker running free on the left of the box, but his resulting cross was too nippy for the jumping Lowe to connect with. Buchanan was back again on the right wing on 17 minutes, setting up Lowe just inside the box, who then passed the ball back to the forward-running Dawson, who then controlled the ball and sent a powerful left-footed drive towards goal, but Krysiak stood his ground and gathered the ball.

Philips took advantage of a tricky ball for Buchanan to control on 22 minutes, and then ran forward to take a long range shot almost along the ground, but it was well wide of the left post. Harrad should have taken advantage of a loose ball in the Bury box moments later, but the bounce favoured Brown who came out to collect the ball.t almost along the ground, but it was well wide of the left post. Harrad should have taken advantage of a loose ball in the Bury box moments later, but the bounce favoured Brown who came out to collect the ball.

Bury got the ball down well and played some lovely football as the first half continued. The Brewers' defence was looking to be a challenge for Bury to get past, but tricky little passes here and there seemed to have them puzzled, which then saw them make some silly mistakes and dodgy passbacks. Harrad will rue his miss for Burton on 37 minutes; Walker sent a pacey shot forward, which Brown saved but only as far as the waiting Harrad who managed to put the ball over from close range, with Brown still getting back on his feet.

The close shave for Burton seemed to have knocked the Shakers slightly as the half started to come to a close. Two minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Brown took a goal kick. Brewers captain Branston was taking no nonsense from Lowe in the closing stages as he tried to chase down a loose ball, shoving him into the advertising boards. The half ended after the next kick of the ball, and the players left the pitch with honours even.

Half Time - Brewers 0 Shakers 0

After Racchi won the ball deep in the Bury half on 53 minutes, he left the ball for Dawson to charge forward, who set up Lowe who then passed back to Newey. Newey made space for himself on the left hand side of the box, sending in a nippy cross in front of goal, which had to be cleared by Burton for a corner. BBM took the corner from the right, looking for the height of Cresswell in the box, but Burton managed to clear. Sustained pressure from Bury saw

Substitution for Burton on 62 minutes - Greg Pearson on for Richard Walker

A foul by Dawson five yards outside the box on 63 minutes saw Burton with a free kick in a dangerous position. Harrad stepped up to take it but blasted it into the Bury wall. Bury were at the other end moments later, with Lowe latching onto a loose ball just outside the area with a looping shot which had Krysiak beaten but it rebounded off the bar.

Substitution for Bury on 72 minutes - Ben Futcher on for Efe Sodje

Harrad had a good chance on goal on 78 minutes as Buchanan tracked back to try and cover. Harrad's shot lacked any pace and went harmlessly wide. A dangerous cross from Austin on 80 minutes forced a crucial save from Brown, who palmed the ball out of harm's way and into the path of Buchanan to clear.

Substitution for Bury on 82 minutes - Paul Scott on for Danny Racchi

Harrad forced another spectacular save from Brown on 83 minutes after he got onto the end of a loose ball in the box following a Burton corner. A strong, close-range effort was kept out by quick reactions from Brown, who then tipped the resulting effort over the bar. After late pressure from Burton, it was Bury piling it on in the closing stages. Three minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Ryan Lowe kept on running upfront.

A late run from Harrad had to be chased down by Futcher, and the resulting effort was cleared by Scott. As Buchanan cleared yet another threat on the left wing, the referee called time on an eventful 90 minutes.

Full Time - Brewers 0 Shakers 0

This was by no means a dull goalless draw. It was end to end action from both sides, who by the end of the match, were pretty even in performance. It was always going to be a close run thing, as Burton are strong at home and Bury are playing well away from home. The first half seemed to be more about Bury's attacking, but the second half saw Burton press forward more and challenge the Shakers' back line. Sodje became the casualty of this, hobbling off with 20 minutes left, but with ample defenders to replace him, the dilemma remains upfront.

Ryan Lowe had one of his best games in a Bury shirt, and deserved a goal for his efforts. He didn't stop running for the entire game, and took the pressure of being the only striker on the pitch in his stride. Impressive forward runs from Baker, Dawson and Jones seemed sure to give Bury some rewards for their persistence but it wasn't to be. A strong Burton defence wouldn't let much past them in the second half, and to Burton's credit, they deserved a goal or two themselves. Close efforts for Harrad were wasted as Brown was resilient. Both sides finish even with a point each, and Bury's unbeaten run extends to nine games.

Attendance: 3,373

Bury:  Wayne Brown, David Buchanan, Ryan Cresswell, Stephen Dawson (c), Richie Baker, Brian Barry-Murphy, Danny Racchi, Mike Jones, Ryan Lowe, Efetobore Sodje, Tom Newey

Subs:  Paul Scott, Ben Futcher, Cameron Belford, Krishnan Patel, Max Harrop, Adam Dawson

Burton Albion:  Artur Krysiak, Aaron Webster, Michael Simpson, Tony James, Shaun Harrad, Richard Walker, Ryan Austin, Russell Penn, Jimmy Phillips, Jacques Maghoma, Guy Branston (c)

Subs: Kevin Poole, Darren Stride, Andy Corbett, Marc Goodfellow, Greg Pearson, Aaron Brown, Serge Makofo

Referee:  Andy Penn (West Midlands)