SHAKERS 0, ROCHDALE 0: For their own differing reasons, fans of both sides trooped out of Gigg Lane more than a little frustrated at the end of this derby stalemate.

The Bury supporters saw their side fail to capitalise on 80 minutes' domination, While the Rochdale contingent will have been miffed that their spirited last ten minute spell did not yield the goal that would have kept their dwindling play-off hopes alive.

It was injuries in the latter stages to defenders John Fitzgerald and Tom Kennedy that forced the positional changes that the visitors' capitalised on. And the Shakers had goalkeeper Glyn Garner to thank for keeping them out in that worrying final few minutes.

Three times Dale leading scorer Grant Holt burst into the box to threaten the Shakers' goal but he was foiled twice by fine saves from the Welshman.

Meanwhile skipper Dave Challinor made a timely and brave block tackle on the striker who, for all his reputation, had looked pretty ineffective for most of the match.

Yet there needn't have been any late collywobbles in the Bury ranks had they made the most of their superior possession.

Rochdale keeper Michael Gilks had to be at his best to keep out powerful efforts from Simon Whaley who, along with Colin Kazim-Richards, kept the visitors' defence busy with a stream of dangerous crosses, none of which could be capitalised.

Dwayne Mattis headed over the bar and Barry-Murphy, playing despite his horrific ear injury picked up at Chester, brought another good stop out of Gilks with a snap shot from just outside the box. Four minutes after the interval Kazim-Richards looked to have broken the deadlock with his third goal in as many games when he sprung the Rochdale offside trap and superbly drilled home a powerful strike from 10 yards. But Liverpool referee Chris Foy chalked off the effort, claiming that Chris Porter had blocked off Dale defender Greg Heald to allow his team-mate a clear run on goal.

Bury: Garner, Whaley, Fitzgerald (Cartledge 84), Challinor, Scott, Kennedy (Boshell 73), Mattis, Flitcroft, Barry-Murphy, Kazim-Richards, Porter.

Subs not used: Collinge, Buchanan and Shakes.

Referee: Chris. Foy (Merseyside)

Attendance: 4,606