CRAIG Conway scored his third goal of pre-season to earn Rovers a draw at the League One new boys.

The Shakers, who won promotion from League Two last season, went in front through Tom Pope.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But their hopes of claiming the scalp of their Championship opponents were dashed by another moment of magic from Conway.

The winger has made it his aim to reach double figures for the first time in his career during the 2015-16 campaign.

And, on the evidence of his summer exploits, you would not bet against him doing just that.

After his stunning strikes in the wins over Accrington Stanley and Oldham Athletic, Conway added another to his collection here.

His 65th-minute equaliser earned Rovers a share of the spoils going into their final friendly at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

The injury hit visitors were watched from the Gigg Lane stands by prospective new signing Kim Bo-Kyung as well former Ewood Park favourites David Dunn, Paul Dickov and Garry Flitcroft, the older brother of Bury boss David.

They saw the Shakers take a lead into the break thanks to Pope’s 26th-minute finish.

But it was Rovers, who were without 10 first-team players, including wantaway strikers Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede, and new boys Fode Koita and Sacha Petshi, who had the better chances in the first half.

Ben Marshall went close in the 22nd minute when his near-post 20-yarder was parried behind by Christian Walton.

Moments later Marshall, who was recalled to the side after recovering from the illness that ruled him out of Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Oldham, helped tee up Lee Williamson for a deflected drive that clipped the bar before going out for another corner.

It came against the run of play, then, when Bury went in front as Pope prodded home after a Chris Hussey free kick was allowed to reach the back post.

With Adam Henley and John O’Sullivan causing problems down the right, Rovers should have levelled three minutes later.

But Walton prevented trialist forward Nathan Delfouneso from sweeping in Henley’s sharp cutback.

The Shakers then passed up an even better opportunity, Leon Clarke shooting tamely at David Raya after beating Shane Duffy to the ball.

And Duffy’s relief could have turned to delight on the stroke of half-time had he been able to get a head to Conway’s inswinging free kick.

It was Bury, however, who were looking the more dangerous, with Hussey’s set-pieces central to their threat.

And in the 51st minute they were denied a second goal after one of the referee’s assistants ruled that Clarke’s close-range attempt, after Rovers had once more failed to clear their lines, had not crossed the line.

By that stage Bowyer had introduced former Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie, who is on trial at the club after his release from Reading, and academy prospect Willem Tomlinson.

But it was a more familiar face who brought Rovers level.

After a fine block from Hussey prevented Delfouneso from putting a finish touch to Marshall’s through pass, Conway curled home a superb 25-yard shot into the bottom corner, to the delight of the 522 travelling fans.

The wideman went within a whisker of a second, 10 minutes from time, before Marshall was denied what looked a clear-cut penalty in the 88th minute.

But in the end neither team could find a winner.

Rovers: Raya, Henley, Hanley, Duffy, Spurr, O’Sullivan (Tomlinson 46), Lowe (Guthrie 46), Williamson, Conway, Marshall, Delfouneso (Forrester 78). Subs not used: Steele, Mahoney, Nyambe, Kilgallon.