York City 1 Bury 1 - MICHAEL Nelson's first game as skipper of the Shakers was memorable for the wrong reasons until George Clegg came to his rescue.

The central defender had been handed the captain's armband after manager Andy Preece decided Jon Newby's form might benefit from him relinquishing the role.

But the poisoned chalice of the captaincy looked to have a detrimental effect of Nelson when he manhandled City's giant striker Jon Parkin to the ground in the box just after half time.

Parkin stepped up to despatch the spot kick to Glyn Garner's left to give the cash-strapped Minstermen a lead they did not deserve.

It was an advantage that did not last long however, as six minutes later, Clegg curled a superb left footed free kick into the top corner after former Burnley defender Chris Brass had fouled Colin Cramb.

From then on the Shakers took control although they lacked a killer punch in the final third of the field.

A minute after the Bury leveller Newby saw a good effort saved by Michael Ingham in the City goal. Cramb narrowly failed to connect with a cross from the right by Newby while that pairing combined well to set up youngster David Nugent who blasted a good opening high over the bar from 10 yards.

Yet there was almost a sting in the tail for Preece's side when substitute Leigh Wood broke clear with only Garner to beat but his low drive hit the post and rolled across the face of the goal much to the relief of more than 600 Bury fans behind the goal.

The second half was a massive improvement from a lacklustre first period that Bury edged despite neither side carving out any clear cut chances.

But the result left manager Andy Preece disappointed as he felt the game was there to be won.

"It was a real chance to pick up three points today as we had some really good opportunities after we scored," he said.

"We got behind their defence in good areas but didn't force their keeper to make any saves."

Garner 7, Unsworth 7, Nelson 7, Redmond 8, Woodthorpe 7, Billy 7, O'Shaughnessy 8, Clegg 7, Newby 7, Cramb 6 (Lawson, 72), Nugent 6.

Subs not used: Forrest, Preece, Hill and Connell.

Attendance: 4,115

Referee: Mr H. Webb (Rotherham)