Bury 1 Chesterfield 1 - BAICHUNG BHUTIA'S moment of history might go down in the record books - but this match won't feature too strongly when the nostalgia merchants roll back the years.

Bhutia became the first Indian-born player to score a goal in top class English soccer - and possibly Europe - with his 38th minute opener against Chesterfield.

He could have had another in the second half after showing a great bit of skill and control in the penalty box. But he found himself too close to Spireites 'keeper Mark Gayle when he shot and the effort was blocked.

But don't blame Bhutia. There were others with better chances, notably Paul Barnes and Adrian Littlejohn, who blew them.

A goal from either situation would have wrapped up the match and virtually guaranteed Bury's Second Division safety, as it is they must take on two more of the relegation strugglers, Blackpool and Cardiff, over Easter still needing five points to ensure that place in Division Two next season.

If they don't feel threatened enough, take a leaf out of Chesterfield's book. Stuck at the bottom 12 points adrift of safety, they showed a spirit and will to win that spoke volumes for their character and never-say-die attitude.

They took the game to Bury straight from the kick-off and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet before Bury got even a sniff of the opposition goalmouth.

As early as the third minute Ryan Williams fired in a fierce drive that seemed bound for the target until it hit Brian Linighan on the shoulder and spun harmlessly up into the air. That was one let off, but there was another three minutes later when striker John Howard spectacularly launched himself at a David Reeves cross some ten yards out.

Player-boss Andy Preece had made a few bold selections in his team for this match.

He rested himself and emerging young full back Matt Barrass and gave Bhutia his head alongside Barnes up front.

Marvin Bryan made only his second start, filling in for Barrass at right back and both did reasonably well.

Another pair that came out with some credit were young centre backs Danny Swailes and Brian Linighan, that was an enforced pairing due to injuries to Sam Collins, Steve Redmond and Chris Swailes but the young hearts performed well enough to suggest they may well be holding the placeson a regular basis in the not too distant future.

The Shakers looked to have carved out their first real chance in the 13th minute, but with time and space aplenty, Littlejohn delayed his pull back from the right and it was only good fortune that saw the ball run through to Paul Reid, whose shot was cleared off the line by Ian Breckin.

A Chris Perkins curler over the left hand upright apart, it was Bury who had the better chances after that, Swailes going close with a header and Reid putting in another shot that wasn't far away.

They got their reward with that Bhutia goal, a smart first time shot from the right-hand corner of the box from a Reid corner.

That's how it stayed up to the break and Bury should have wrapped it up via Barnes, Littlejohn and Bhutia in the second half before Chesterfield once again got the bit between their teeth.

Substitute Steve Payne and Roger Willis went close before an amazing sequence of shots saw Payne hit the post, Reeves hit the bar and Tony Carss fire in a third attempt that went in off the unfortunate Reid.

Chesterfield were back in the driving seat and they were unlucky not to get only their second away win of the season when Kenny pulled off a super save to deny Reeves in the last minute. Chesterfield were back in the driving seat and they were unlucky not to get only their second away win of the season when Kenny pulled off a super save to deny Reeves in the last minute.