The Silkmen bring a point back from Gigg Lane

Brian Horton made a few changes to his side since their visit to Chester last weekend with Martin Bullock and Marcus Richardson returning and Alan Navarro on the bench. The game started well for The Silkmen with Danny Whitaker making the first attempt on goal from a right-footed volley within the first minute.

The Shakers tried their luck a few minutes later when Ian Ross, currently on loan from Sheffield United, cut inside and fired a good shot wide of the net. Macclesfield should have taken the lead on 11 minutes when thanks to a long ball from Tommy Lee, Matty McNeil had a chance on goal however Kasper Schmeichel prevented it.

Fifteen minutes later Marcus Richardson buried the ball in the back of the Shakers net, only to discover mid celebration that the nearside referee's assistant had raised his flag. Moments later Kevin Sandwith made an attempt on goal from 35 yards only to see the ball go past the left post.

Five minutes before half time Andrew Teague tried his best to put the visitors ahead, although his cross was caught by Schmeichel to keep the score at 0-0 going into the break.

Half time: Bury 0 - 0 Macclesfield Town

The second half started with a foul by Danny Swailes on Brian Barry-Murphy, resulting in a free kick to the home side. The ball curled around the wall and into the arms of a diving Lee.

Within ten minutes Swailes headed the ball from the centre of the penalty area in an attempt to put The Silkmen in the lead, however Schmeichel was on hand to put an end to it. Seconds later Bury made their first substitution of the evening bringing onJohn Fitzgerald for the injured David Challinor.

Macclesfield had another chance on 62 minutes when a corner wasn't cleared properly, the ball fell to Whitaker on the edge of the box who took a shot on goal. Unfortunately, it was intercepted by Schmeichel again. Shortly after Tom Youngs received a good ball from Barry-Murphy and took his chances with a right-footed volley from the centre of the penalty area sending the ball past the right post.

A cross by Paul Scott was cleared by Swailes on 77 minutes. Three minutes later a Bury throw in gave Dave Flitcroft the opportunity to put The Shakers ahead, but his shot on goal flew over the cross bar instead.

The last ten minutes of the game saw Bury push for that elusive winning goal with efforts from Scott and Colin Marrison, who replaced Ian Ross on 74 minutes.