After a rousing performance against Crewe on Tuesday, Bury went into the game against Port Vale full of confidence. The Shakers are a place within the top six but with Vale chasing at their tails for a play off spot, today's tie was never going to be plain sailing.

Strangely the Vale players were denied the right to wear their kit, for the referee believed it looked too similar to the Shakers home strip. So the visitors were forced to wear their training tops, after having two kits refused. The club even had to make a trip down to JJB sports to buy white training socks, for their stripy versions were unacceptable. As the players had no numbers on their backs they were unidentifiable, so they will remain anonymous!

Cameron Belford was in the starting XI after his confident display earlier in the week, leaving Wayne Brown on the bench

The Shakers were fired up from the offset, with a neat pass from BBM to Lowe resulting in a save from the Vale keeper.

In the twelfth minute an altercation with Worrall the Vale player left the Shaker on the floor. But the ref had a quick word and marked to play on. Not long after, Buchanan had a throw in but this was swept up the oppositions defence.

21 minutes in and Lowe was brought down after getting involved in a challenge on Andy Morrell. A free kick at 30 yards left Lowe searching for the goal, but his shot was punched out by the keeper inside the box.

The Shakers had been enjoying a prolonged spell of possession, until the ball met Efetobore Sodje's hand in the opposition's area. There were screams from the away fans for Sodje to be sent off, but the referee gave him a yellow card for he could see the handball was unintentional. This resulted in a penalty to the Vale. Captain Marc Richards fired it in the bottom right corner, past a beleaguered Belford.

The first half was a constant battle between the two sides, with both vying for their place in the playoffs. Vale are sitting in just below the top six, but with other results not going their way nothing is set in stone.

Stephen Dawson was shown a yellow card in the 43rd minute after an unnecessary two footed challenge, leaving the Vale player writhing on the floor.

In the second half, Bury came out fighting. Morrell had a shot blocked by the Vale defender, resulting in a goal kick. The Shakers were on the attack, with a free kick award at thirty yards. It was taken by Jones, with Morrell seeing his flick on put over the bar.

After a worthy display, Morrell was replaced by Bishop in the 65th minute.

Mickey Adams's men were challenging the Bury defence, but no avail. A great display by Belford kept the Vale from gaining.

At 73 minutes, Worrall went off for Manchester City loanee James Poole.

The breakthrough for Bury came in the 80th minute, when a corner taken by BBM found its way to Sodje who headed in from the back post. It was a deserved equaliser for Sodje who had been battling hard for the whole game.

A couple of chances fell Bury's way in the dying minutes, but it seems a draw was the fairest result for both sides.

The Shakers are now comfortably sitting in 5th place, and with next Saturday's visit relegation threatened Lincoln, it seems that the dream of a Wembley appearance is alive and kicking.

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