A game that can never be described as a 'classic', perhaps not even that entertaining, but one that proved useful to both managers with both sides introducing trialists and new signings into what turned out to be a game that will more than likely be remembered for decisions from officials'.

With Stephen Dawson (Illness) and Andy Bishop (Groin) missing from the team sheet, it was the Shakers who were presented with the first half chance of the afternoon,An underhit backpass from Sean Gregan saw Danny Carlton bearing down on the ball with Latics Dean Brill doing the same from the other direction.Brill just beat Carlton for pace and managed to lump the ball down the field and away from immediate danger.

Three minutes later and it was Bury's turn to try the back pass, though this time Efe Sodje played a ball back to Wayne Brown with lots of power.Brown did well to flick the ball around Pawel Abbott via some nimble footwork before clearing the ball down the field.

It took another ten minutes before Oldham carved out their first half chance, a quick Joe Jacobson throw found the ball at the feet of Abbott, the former Shaker's loanee held off the challenge from Bury skipper Paul Scott and managed to fire the ball from the edge of the box that was always rising high over the bar.Moments later an Oldham corner from Jacobson found skipper Deane Smalley rise above the Bury defence to blast the ball again high over the bar.

Oldham's crisp passing soon began to have some affect on the Bury back line with Abbott and another Shakers loanee Chris O'Grady linking up well.One half chance came on 18 minutes when O'Grady fired the ball towards Abbott, a quick flick found the ball heading for ChrisTaylor on the edge of the box, and his curling effort went the same way as the previous three attempts - high over the bar.

The visitors should have taken the lead a minute later when Taylor delivered a deep cross to the back stick, Smalley simply had to tap home yet somehow managed to divert the ball away from goal allowing Barry-Murphy to smash the ball clear.

Bury's passing game swung into action on 22 minutes when a ten pass move, which saw quick short sharp passes finding feet and targets, was brought crashing to an end with a stern challenge from Regan on David Buchanan just as he broke into the box.

Wayne Brown was forced into action moments later when Taylor got the ball to O'Grady on the edge of the box, but although his powerful drive looked to be on target, it proved to be a simple save for the Shakers keeper.

Danny Carlton, who has already impressed many with his aggression, showed perhaps too much on 24 minutes when a strong challenge on Gregan brought a stern talking from the official, though the warning turned into a yellow card some four minutes later after a similar challenge on Gregan.

Bury produced another good move some ten minutes later when a long Wayne Brown clearance found Danny Racchi, his quick pass found Carlton, Carlton played the ball off his chest to Lowe who duly returned the ball to Danny Carlton, one stride and touch later saw the former Carlisle striker smash the ball into the side netting with keeper Dean Brill diving and flapping to get something on the ball.

Another good chance came Bury's way two minutes later when A Mike Jones free kick into the box fell perfectly onto the head of Ryan Cresswell, but his strong header flew wide of the target.A strong challenge on Danny Carlton just before half time brought a Shakers free kick just inside the Oldham half, but the visiting defence quickly broke down the resulting free kick just as referee Mason blew for half time.

Bury seemed to start the second period strongly with Richie Baker collecting the ball on the half way line, his run forward at pace brought a clever piece of individual skill to waltz the ball around Gregan and get the ball into the box for Racchi, though his cross into the danger area was well dealt with by Hazel.

Another Baker run some ten minutes later brought another strong challenge, from the resulting free kick Brian Barry-Murphy curled the ball around the Oldham wall, but could not get it down in time before it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

On 70 minutes, another long clearance from Brown saw Danny Carlton superbly chest the ball down and forward to Ryan Lowe.He left the ball for trialists Danny Stott whose telling ball into the box saw Richie Baker pull the trigger.Just as Baker was about to shoot though, Chris Taylor managed to get his big toe to the ball and poked it away from Bakers reach allowing Rueben Hazel to clear.

On 77 minutes, Oldham broke through the Bury defence.One of two trialists, that came form the bench in the second half, chased the ball with Ryan Cresswell and Wayne Brown.The Bury duo combined to clear the danger but the trialists player leapt of a sprawled Wayne Brown and landed awkwardly resulting in him leaving the field on a stretcher.Shakers manager Alan Knill later confirmed that the lad had picked up a suspected Cruciate ligament tear.

Another Bury move just before the final whistle saw Domaine Rouse deceive Hazel, as he turned to spring away with the ball, the Oldham defender snaked an arm around his neck and dragged him to the floor. Referee Lee Mason sprinted over fishing for a card form his pocket.Many suspected a red card in the main stand though in the end it was only yellow.

The final chance fell for the Shakers with Simon Johnson setting up the ball for Domaine Rouse, but the Shakers youngster quickly reversed the pass back to Johnson who had drifted into an offside position.

With neither keeper really worked on awarm Gigg Lane afternoon, the game drifted to a 0-0 final score, though both managers seemed happy with their respective performances.

Bury:Wayne Brown, Paul Scott, David Buchanan, Ryan Cresswell, Richie Baker, Danny Carlton, Brian Barry-Murphy, Danny Racchi, Mike Jones, Ryan Lowe, Efetobore Sodje

Substitutes:Simon Johnson (Racchi), Ben Futcher (Cresswell), Danny Stott (Buchanan), Junior Brown (Barry-Murphy), Cameron Belford, Domaine Rouse (Lowe), Byron Webster (Sodje), David Thompson (Scott), Josh Rothwell (Jones)

Oldham Athletic:Dean Brill, Neal Eardley, Joe Jacobson, Jon Worthington, Sean Gregan, Rueben Hazel, Deane Smalley, Dean Furman, Pawel Abbott, Chris O'Grady, Chris Taylor

Substitutes: Kelvin Lomax, James Spencer, Will Haining, Danny Whittaker, Lewis Alessandra, Ryan Brooke, Chris Rowney

Referee:Mr. Lee Mason
Assistant (R & Y Flag):Mr. D Unsworth
Assistant (Yellow Flag):Mr. M Bristow
Fourth Official:Mr. D Roberts