BURY 1 BOSTON UNITED 1: Fives times Bury have played Boston now since the Pilgrims arrived in the Football League and they've still to register a win over their Lincolnshire rivals.

The Shakers know what to expect but still can't fathom out a plan to get the upper hand.

It doesn't help when your captain puts through his own net in bizarre circumstances.

But even though Glynn Garner hardly had a notable save to make, it was difficult to begrudge the visitors a share of the spoils.

Indeed, they were the ones most likely to score again when referee Paul Taylor's whistle brought proceedings to an end.

Maybe, it would have been more entertaining had Paul Gascoigne still been at York Street. Gazza's presence would probably have drawn more onlookers to swell a disappointing crowd of 2001, the lowest at Gigg Lane for a league match this season.

However, Bury left their best form at Darlington last Saturday and clearly relish playing against footballing sides.

This game was almost a carbon copy of the drab matches against Lincoln City and Scunthorpe. Indeed, it's just two points from a possible nine against North Humberside and Lincolnshire opposition this term.

However, manager Graham Barrow refused to be too downbeat at seeing his team take the lead through Dave Challinor and then witnessing Challinor score in his own net as well.

"There's a lot of doom and gloom about the place and the lads are bitterly disappointed with only the draw," said Barrow.

"But Boston gave us a tough game and you know for certain with Steve Evans as manager they are not not going to try.

"Everyone to their own style but you can see why they have been getting results.

"However, we could have been two up in the first 25 minutes though there was not a lot there later on.

"I don't like to make excuses but we've had two difficult away games and there were a few tired legs.

"We've got to make sure now they get the energy back because we've got a big home game with Rushden on Saturday."

On the own goal Barrow said: "I hope he wasn't trying a back header because we shouldn't be taking chances in there.

We just had to get it out of there."

Challinor said: "I was back pedalling and couldn't get enough on the header. But it was a mix up in communications."

Challinor headed in at the right end after 10 minutes from a Brian Barry-Murphy corner. Before then David Nugent had two good opportunities while David Noble might have scored for Boston whose team included ex Shaker Dean West.

Indeed, the opening 25 minutes was wide open and full of opportunities. Chris Porter hit a post from Terry Dunfield's cross in the 15th minute while Dunfield fired just wide in the 32nd minute.

In between, Mark Greaves and Andy Kirk had shots off target as Bury looked fragile at times in their own area.

The arrival of former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee-sporting a sensible hair style these days-certainly gave Boston more threat.

However, Lee only came on because of a calf injury to Tom McManus. Barry-Murphy was also in the wars and after suffering a gash above his right eye he re-emerged wearing Matt Barrass's shirt.

Ten minutes from half-time Boston levelled. Man of the match Noble, the most skilful of the United players, headed down from the edge of the area.

The ball reared up and Challinor couldn't quite reach it to head it out of harm's way. Had Garner been on his line-as Challinor expected him to be-the keeper would have had an easy save.

On this rare occasion the Welshman wasn't 'at home' and the ball trickled into the goal.

By now Bury had gone off the boil and were desperately lukewarm in the second half.

Too many times possession was squandered too easily and Nugent and Porter rarely received a pass into their feet.

When the Shakers did string a couple of passes together Nugent almost nipped in before Nathan Abbey to reach a centre into the near post.

Not even a three-man strike force, with Jon Newby now on for Dunfield, made a difference.

The closest either team came to scoring was with 12 minutes left but, thankfully for Bury, Kirk was wide from 12 yards.