THE result was not the perfect Christmas present for either side but Shakers fans look set to hold on to Jon Newby, a target for the Seasiders.

Blackpool manager Steve McMahon revealed that the Seasiders attempts to sign Jon Newby look like failing and that is the best festive news of all for the Bury fans who were terrified at the prospect of losing their star man.

McMahon said: "We're still interested in Jon because he is a good player but at the moment the deal is going backwards rather than forwards. At this stage it doesn't look like it's going to happen."

Bury boss Andy Preece happily agreed, adding: "Hopefully it's dead in the water".

It is understandable why McMahon wants Newby though. Blackpool were woefully short of firepower and but for some poor finishing the Shakers would have won this contest at a canter.

The home side were dominant throughout and had several chances to score, Gareth Seddon the main culprit. He missed two sitters but impressed with his awareness and almost scored a superb winner two minutes from time after turning a defender in the six-yard box. Only the brilliant reflexes of Pool keeper Phil Barnes kept him out.

"We should have won because we were in total control from start to finish. They only had two shots all match," said Preece.

"The pitch was hard and very difficult to play on but despite that we totally outpassed Blackpool and if we had taken our chances we would have had all three points."

Seddon scored an offside goal, Nelson headed narrowly wide and Jason Jarrett hit the post in a one-sided first period but amazingly the visitors went in at the break a goal up. They scored with their first and only shot of the half when Andy Payton, on a month's loan from Burnley, latched onto Michael Nelson's loose header and fired past Paddy Kenny.

A sense of injustice flooded around the biggest Gigg Lane crowd of the season - 4,830 with almost 2,000 from Blackpool - but the Shakers responded in the best possible way. Teed up by Lee Unsworth and David Borley, full back Jamie Stuart scored his first goal for Bury with a stinging left foot drive from 20 yards.

Preece's side piled on the pressure and the impressive George Clegg went close, as did Newby and Seddon. The goal wouldn't come though and the Shakers were almost punished when ex-Manchester City star Paul Simpson rattled the crossbar with a superb 25 yard volley.

"Blackpool are generally recognised as one of the best passing sides in the division and I thought we matched them easily," said skipper Jon Newby.

"As for the transfer rumours I don't know anything about them. I'm happy at Bury and I want to stay."

Bury 1 Blackpool 1