Bury 1 Hartlepool United 1 by Chris Hall

A LATE defensive lapse cost Bury a major Division Three scalp as leaders Hartlepool United escaped from Gigg Lane with their unbeaten away record intact.

It is always difficult to stomach losing two vital points to an 81st minute equaliser but Shakers must now build on the positives from a performance which stood a mile apart from their Bristol misery.

True, Adam Boyd's far post header was made embarrasingly easy by a complete collapse in concentration as United's front man was given acres of space to latch on to Ritchie Humphreys' cross and sneak a share of the spoils.

But, for most of the game, it was Bury who looked more like the league's pacesetters with plenty of fluent attacking moves to have their manager purring.

Now they must work on maintaining that creativity on a weekly basis as they look to find that ruthless streak which would certainly have had the three points bagged up and safely stowed in the vault by half-time.

It was only fitting that Pawel Abbott should net the opener after another tireless stint of ball protecting and link-up play between the midfield and Jon Newby.

His first attempt at goal, had it gone in, would have ranked among the best and most clinical of the season. Newby and the attack-minded Lee Unsworth were not content with just a single neat one-two on the edge of the box, adding a beautifully timed three-four for good measure before Clegg's

inch-perfect pass was flashed inches wide by Abbott with the Hartlepool defenders hypnotised.

A mightily close 20-yard strike later and Abbott finally reaped his reward, confidently placing the ball past a helpless keeper from eight yards after combining excitingly with George Clegg - who made an impressive contribution on his return from a foot injury.

Abbott could easily have finished off the game by the break but the luck was against him and a great save from Anthony Williams prevented another powerful effort from nestling in the bottom corner in the dying moments of

the first period.

The visitors gradually began to offer some sort of attacking threat after the interval and the momentum swung slowly into their favour.

Darrell Clarke peppered the Shakers' goalmouth and forced a brilliant diving save from Glyn Garner at the foot of his left hand post, while Boyd lashed one against the upright.

Finally Boyd gave the 500-strong travelling army something to cheer but fans and players alike will have left the ground fully aware of Bury,s promotion potential.

Stat Attack

Garner 7, Barrass 7, Stuart 7, Swailes 7, Unsworth 8, Billy 7, Clegg 8,

Abbott 8, Dunfield 8, Woodthorpe 7, Newby 8. Subs: Preece (Abbott 85) 6,

Forrest (Clegg 54) 7, George (Dunfield 77) 6. Not used: Nelson, Seddon.

Attendance: 3,547

Referee: Steve Baines