Rough justice as Latics level

With the seconds ticking away it looked like Bury skipper Martyn Forrest's 13th minute goal was going to earn his side a crucial three points but Argentinian substitute Cristian Colusso had other ideas.

The former Under-21 international, rated at £2 million and currently on loan at Boundary Park from Rosaria Central, crashed home a left foot volley that went straight through an unsighted Glyn Garner in the Shakers goal.

It was a sickening finish for the Bury 'keeper, team and fans alike as Andy Preece's men had done more than enough to fashion a win with another wholehearted, gutsy display.

The Latics winner resulted from a Matty Appleby free-kick that was only half cleared by the Bury defence, one of a string of infringements awarded against the Shakers by Stoke official Tony Bates in the final minutes.

It was a refereeing display that left manager Preece absolutely fuming after the game and he didn't mince his words: "It's disgraceful that we are fighting for our lives and we have to contend with decisions like those, some of them were unbelievable.

"It just takes everything away from how well the lads played. Their heads were down in the dressing room after the match and there should be no need for that.

"They ought to be holding their heads high after getting a point out of that match."

The match statistics spoke volumes with a free kick count of 19 conceded by Bury and only four by Oldham.

"That said it all," added Preece. "It was never a dirty game and one or two decisions that went against Jason Jarrett were embarrassing.

"You don't want to see players getting sent off but Chris Armstrong was booked then nothing was done when he put in a bad challenge on Gareth Seddon or pulled Jon Newby back in the second half.

"Seasons can hinge on decision like that."

The kick-off was delayed more than 20 minutes due to crowd congestion and the official attendance of 7,953 was the highest gate at Gigg Lane since Burnley were the visitors on Boxing Day 1999.

With the memories of a harrowing 4-0 stuffing at Boundary Park fresh in their minds in what was the Shakers' worst performance of the season Bury knew they owed their fans a quality display - and delivered one.

The visitors began threateningly enough but soon had the wind taken out of their sails when Forrest ghosted into the box to meet a Paul Reid corner and volleyed powerfully through a crowd of legs and past former Shakers' 'keeper Gary Kelly.

It was the Bury-born player's first senior goal for the club and his delight at getting off the mark was clear for all to see.

It was just the start the Shakers needed and only desperate defending by the Oldham rearguard denied George Clegg and Seddon as they took the game to Mick Wadsworth's men.

At the other end the only real save Glyn Garner was forced to make was a stop from a low effort from Carlo Corrazin following a well worked Oldham move.

But the game hinged on an absolutely breathtaking save from Kelly in the 68th minute.

Seddon, on the left, pulled the ball back from the goalline and Reid somehow hooked a blistering volley that was destined for the top left corner until, somehow, Kelly acrobatically pushed the ball over the bar.

It would have been a rich reward for another superb display by the former Oldham favourite who received his usual torrent of abuse from the Latics fans whenever he touched the ball.

Although the visitors applied more pressure late in the game Bury always looked capable of adding to their tally on the break and had Mr Bates noticed Armstrong holding back Newby when the Shakers striker was bearing down on goal it might have been a different story.

As it was the fourth official had just signalled three minutes stoppage time when Colusso struck to put a dampener on proceedings.

With the seconds ticking away it looked like Bury skipper Martyn Forrest's 13th minute goal was going to earn his side a crucial three points but Argentinian substitute Cristian Colusso had other ideas.

The former Under-21 international, rated at £2 million and currently on loan at Boundary Park from Rosaria Central, crashed home a left foot volley that went straight through an unsighted Glyn Garner in the Shakers goal.

It was a sickening finish for the Bury 'keeper, team and fans alike as Andy Preece's men had done more than enough to fashion a win with another wholehearted, gutsy display.

The Latics winner resulted from a Matty Appleby free-kick that was only half cleared by the Bury defence, one of a string of infringements awarded against the Shakers by Stoke official Tony Bates in the final minutes.

It was a refereeing display that left manager Preece absolutely fuming after the game and he didn't mince his words: "It's disgraceful that we are fighting for our lives and we have to contend with decisions like those, some of them were unbelievable.

"It just takes everything away from how well the lads played. Their heads were down in the dressing room after the match and there should be no need for that.

"They ought to be holding their heads high after getting a point out of that match."

The match statistics spoke volumes with a free kick count of 19 conceded by Bury and only four by Oldham.

"That said it all," added Preece. "It was never a dirty game and one or two decisions that went against Jason Jarrett were embarrassing.

"You don't want to see players getting sent off but Chris Armstrong was booked then nothing was done when he put in a bad challenge on Gareth Seddon or pulled Jon Newby back in the second half.

"Seasons can hinge on decision like that."

The kick-off was delayed more than 20 minutes due to crowd congestion and the official attendance of 7,953 was the highest gate at Gigg Lane since Burnley were the visitors on Boxing Day 1999.

With the memories of a harrowing 4-0 stuffing at Boundary Park fresh in their minds in what was the Shakers' worst performance of the season Bury knew they owed their fans a quality display - and delivered one.

The visitors began threateningly enough but soon had the wind taken out of their sails when Forrest ghosted into the box to meet a Paul Reid corner and volleyed powerfully through a crowd of legs and past former Shakers' 'keeper Gary Kelly.

It was the Bury-born player's first senior goal for the club and his delight at getting off the mark was clear for all to see.

It was just the start the Shakers needed and only desperate defending by the Oldham rearguard denied George Clegg and Seddon as they took the game to Mick Wadsworth's men.

At the other end the only real save Glyn Garner was forced to make was a stop from a low effort from Carlo Corrazin following a well worked Oldham move.

But the game hinged on an absolutely breathtaking save from Kelly in the 68th minute.

Seddon, on the left, pulled the ball back from the goalline and Reid somehow hooked a blistering volley that was destined for the top left corner until, somehow, Kelly acrobatically pushed the ball over the bar.

It would have been a rich reward for another superb display by the former Oldham favourite who received his usual torrent of abuse from the Latics fans whenever he touched the ball.

Although the visitors applied more pressure late in the game Bury always looked capable of adding to their tally on the break and had Mr Bates noticed Armstrong holding back Newby when the Shakers striker was bearing down on goal it might have been a different story.

As it was the fourth official had just signalled three minutes stoppage time when Colusso struck to put a dampener on proceedings.

BURY

Glyn Garner...7

Lee Connell...8

Sam Collins...8

Michael Nelson...9

Jamie Stuart...8

Martyn Forrest...8

David Borley...8

Paul Reid...8

George Clegg...7

Gareth Seddon...7

Jon Newby...8

Subs: Jarrett (for Borley, 75). Not used: Swailes, Murphy, Whiteman and Preece.

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Mr A. Bates (Stoke)

Attendance: 7,953