BURY restored some of their pride and self-belief in a battling display, which gained them a point in a repeat of last season's scoreline.

They could hardly have endured a worse start to the game, conceding an opening goal, after just 20 seconds, to a lively Bolton side who immediately tried to inflict further damage as they swarmed around the Bury goal.

In the Old Boys' first attack, Wilde completed a fine left wing run with a low delivery across the goal-mouth, where a home defender turned the ball into his own net as Holt and Leith waited to pounce.

Rugged mid-field play from Lord, Land and teenager, Cheetham, served notice that the side would not capitulate as easily as in recent weeks.

On the half-hour, Land turned Holt's cross against the post and then Crompton made two fine saves as the game swung from end to end.

The home side restored the lead just before the interval, stabbing the ball over the line at a corner kick. Leith had tested the 'keeper before grabbing the equaliser after 64 minutes, finishing low into the bottom corner after turning two defenders on the edge of the penalty box.

Both sides then enjoyed spells of pressure as they sought a third goal, but Bury remained resolute through Jackson and Bracegirdle, and Holt and Leith both went close again before the final whistle.

Two second half goals from Ryan Harper enabled the second team to overcome an early deficit to defeat Accrington Amateurs 2-1.

Gregorians are tomorrow's first team visitors at Buckley Wells, kick-off 2.30pm.