Bury 1 Rochdale 1 by Chris Hall: SHAKERS boss Andy Preece kept his cool despite a crucial handball decision costing his side a vital three points.

Jon Newby finally cracked a miserable Rochdale outfit on the hour mark only to see his strike cancelled out five minutes later at the hands of Lee McEvilly.

Even Rochdale manager Paul Simpson later admitted the striker had clearly used his arm to control a David Flitcroft free-kick and fire past a helpless Glyn Garner.

But Preece remained pragmatic and was quite rightly more concerned by the collapse of Bury's offside trap which allowed McEvilly acres of space to knock the wind from their sails.

"I don't know if it was handball or not. I haven't even thought about it, to be honest," he said.

"There's no point complaining about that. It doesn't change the scoreline. We just lost our concentration.

"Lee Unsworth played him onside and it was just a breakdown in communication and concentration and we need to sort that out.

"But I can't fault the lads for their effort. It was a complete display, especially in the second half, and we should really have scored more."

That much is true. Danny Swailes could think himself particularly aggrieved at not getting on the scoresheet.

The hero of last week's win at Scunthorpe saw a shot fire off the post and a header cleared off the line as Dale's luck held out in a frantic-post equaliser period.

Fellow centre back Steve Redmond was also denied a headed goal, thanks to a fine point-plank save from Rochdale 'keeper Neil Edwards.

While Preece himself was denied by another goalline clearance from Matthew Doughty.

Doughty was the only shining light in a simply woeful and lifeless display from the visitors, who dragged Bury into a pitiful kick and chase exhibition during a first half which had the season's best 5, 827 crowd wishing they were out finishing their Christmas shopping.

Preece's two medium-paced strikes were the only shots on target all half as both goalkeepers struggled to keep awake.

All that changed, though, after the break when, after significant pressure around the Rochdale box, Swailes' long ball was nodded down by Preece and Terry Dunfield's mis-cued shot fell at the feet of Newby.

The star striker ended his three-month league goal drought by placing the ball past Edwards from six yards for his 10th of the season.

Form Guide: Garner 7, Stuart 7, Redmond 7, Swailes 8, Nelson 7, Unsworth 7, Billy 8, Johnrose 7, Dunfield 8, Preece 7, Newby 7. Subs not used: George, Woodthorpe, Nugent, Lawson, O'Shaughnessy.

Referee: Roy Pearson (Peterlee)

Attendance: 5,827