Latics held at Bury

RARE GOAL: Lee Croft

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BURY 1, ATHLETIC 1

A RARE Lee Croft goal wasn't enough to give Athletic three points in a helter-skelter local derby.

Croft's neat far-post volley on 24 minutes had Darren Kelly's side ahead at the interval.

But Bury stormed back after half-time and once James Wilson had put an effort narrowly wide, Tom Pope converted from close range seconds later at the other end.

The first real chance of the game was Bury's, as left-back Chris Hussey struck a 20-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the target, a deflection taking it beyond the far post.

Athletic looked potent on the break though and that is where the first goal came. David Dunn released Jonathan Forte down the left and he laid back to Joseph Mills, whose cross found its way to Croft at the far post. A calm volleyed finish took a slight deflection as it made its way past Rob Lainton.

The visitors took control from then on to the interval, with the home side having a shout for a penalty when Connor Brown collided with Danny Rose from behind in the area.

Forte nearly profited from a Croft cut-back early in the second half from another good counter-attack, but Bury almost levelled when Andrew Tutte's 20-yard effort arrowed narrowly wide of the far post.

And Danny Mayor's shot was well blocked by a posse of defenders as the home side pressed on just before the hour.

Mike Jones may have done better than side foot over the top from Timothee Dieng's cross as Athletic again piled forward.

James Wilson then had a great chance to make it 2-0, streaking clear down the middle but hitting wide when one-on-one.

Seconds later, Pope converted from Mayor's delivery from the left, turning in off the post under pressure to level up in the 65th minute.

Simonas Stankevicius almost put Athletic in front on 83 minutes but for a great block by Joe Riley, but a draw was a fair result.