For that was the order of the day for Andy Preece's side who fully deserved a point from this clash played out in monsoon conditions.

But, on a horrendous night for weather all across the country, never mind the Principality, with a gale force wind and torrential rain making constructive football almost impossible, Bury ultimately paid the price for a lack of cutting edge.

After a first half in which they gave every bit as good as they got, the Shakers looked all set to go in for their half time cuppa on level terms until - and only he will know why - Michael Nelson upended Peter Thorne with the City striker heading away from goal and the ball running into touch.

Gloucester referee Phil Prosser had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Cardiff skipper Graham Kavanagh did the rest, lashing his spot kick powerfully into the roof of the net.

The home side probably just edged the first period on openings, notably in the first few minutes when the lively Jason Bowen was always a threat.

The diminutive winger set up Willie Boland in the fifth minute and only a brave block by Sam Collins stopped newly-installed Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence getting a dream start to his tenure.

Jon Newby had the best chance for the Shakers when he cut in from the left and fired in a powerful effort that Neil Alexander could only parry away.

As the game progressed Bury warmed to their task an kept the normally vociferous Ninian Park crowd unusually subdued.

But all to often after working their way into good situations the final ball would go awry with the nearest Alexander came to conceding a first time effort from Ian Lawson three minutes after the break that owed a lot to the skill and determination of Jamie Stuart on the left wing.

Stuart has been badly missed in recent weeks and he showed just what a class performer he undoubtedly is with a fine display.

"The conditions were poor and though we tried to play, get the ball down and pass it we needed to create more opportunities than we did," said Preece.

"It's something we've been working on in training but still need to look at. Individual players have to see passes quicker, especially when we get into good positions in the final third of the field.

"I couldn't ask for any more effort, commitment or passion but we are just lacking that bit of quality on the ball.

"We need to score goals because we can't keep relying on keeping a clean sheet all the time."

The Bury boss admitted he was unsighted for the crucial spot kick and added: "I can't make any comment on the penalty but the position Peter Thorne was in when he went down wasn't a dangerous one.

"So it was a penalty it was a sin to give it away in that position. We really should have cleared the ball before we got into that situation and that's disappointing."

The Shakers had by far the lions share of play in the second half and the nervous boos that heralded the fourth officials display of five minutes added time told its own story.

But in truth they could have played another five hundred and five and the result would probably have been the same, it was one of those nights!