Bury 0 Kidderminster 0 by Phil Thorp:

A THIRD successive clean sheet and a hard earned point were the consolation prizes from a match the Shakers were expected to win.

Facing a Kidderminster side below them in the table, Graham Barrow's side were looking to pick up three points that would further distance them from the division's relegation worriers. But it was not to be and in all fairness, the draw was just about the right result.

There was a solidity and strength to the Bury team in evidence again on Saturday that was not there a few weeks ago. The only trouble is that resolute streak is due in no small part to three loan signings, and they could be whipped away at any given time.

Glenn Whelan will be playing his final game for the Shakers against Southend next Saturday, while strikers Jon Daly and Dave Challinor could both be back at Stockport County next month.

While Daly had something of a quiet time up front, Challinor had another superb game as did Danny Swailes and Colin Woodthorpe in a solid back three. And they needed to against the Harriers' giant front pairing of Dane Jesper Christiansen and Paul Williams.

The visitors created the best openings in a scrappy first half with Williams a particular threat. After 20 minutes Swailes did well to usher him away from danger after he broke through with only Glyn Garner to beat, then a minute later he lashed a half chance over the angle of bar and post.

There was not much to warm the hearts of Bury fans in the opening period with only a 30-yard snap shot from Daly finding the side netting and a tame header by Lee Connell from a Whelan cross that was comfortably saved.

Molby had been very critical of the Gigg Lane pitch ahead of the game but he almost had it to thank just after half time.

Full-back Scott Stamps tried his luck with a speculative 35-yard effort and the ball took a wicked bounce off the pitch just in front of Garner but the keeper managed to palm it to safety.

That effort apart, most of the action was at the opposite end and with a bit more composure in front of goal, Bury would have taken the points.

The best move of the match arrived after 64 minutes when Whelan, Lee Duxbury and Tom Kennedy combined to send Connell clear down the right. He whipped in a superb ball that leading scorer Chris Porter met at the near post but unfortunately he didn't get enough purchase on his effort and glanced it wide.

Ten minutes later substitutes Gareth Seddon and Joe O'Neill linked up well but again O'Neill put a headed effort well wide when handily placed.

"It was a frustrating day for us," said Barrow. "But it's pleasing that the players are disappointed at drawing 0-0. A few weeks ago we'd have snatched somebody's hand off for a result like that."

BURY FORMGUIDE:

Garner 7, Barrass 6 (O'Neill, 63, 7), Swailes 8, Challinor 8, Woodthorpe 8, Connell 7, Duxbury 7, Whelan 8, Kennedy 7, Porter 6 (Seddon, 74, 7), Daly 6.

Subs not used: Clegg, O'Shaughnessy and Solly.

Attendance: 2,526

Referee: David Pugh (Wirral)