WIGAN...1 BURY...1

BURY were disappointed not to have won their third successive game away from home at the JJB Stadium, where they fought back from conceding an early second half Andy Liddell strike.

However, manager Andy Preece's young side have a self belief and confidence which belies their lack of experience and after equalising, ironically through veteran defender Steve Redmond, they showed great spirit and produced quality play, which on another day could have seen them secure all three points. Bury's homespun outfit, total transfer outlay £10,000 (for 'keeper Paddy Kenny) showed big spenders Wigan that high transfer values and big wages were not a guarantee to success.

Furthermore, Bury had lost the precocious talent of 18-year-old David Borley pre-match to an infection which saw Jamie Stuart also leave the match prematurely.

It was Bury who dictated the majority of play, though without creating many clear cut chances. Gareth Seddon had struck the crossbar in the closing stages of the first period, and Jason Jarrett had an outstanding first half which saw Chris Billy return in Borley's place for his first game in several months following injury, and which in many judges' eyes won him the man of the match award. Wigan manager Paul Jewell commented after the game: "We did not play well, which is disappointing after the Reading performance, but you have to give credit to Bury who I thought played very well. They are very quick on the break, their front two caused plenty of problems."

Shakers boss Andy Preece said: "I told the boys at half time that it was down to us whether we won or lost, we were in control of the game, and we only needed to up the tempo marginally. The spirit in the side is fantastic, I thought we controlled play but without managing that final touch to create any clear cut chances.

"We were strong at the back and, apart from the goal, they never threatened us."