Bury 2 Bradford 2

[Chase]

A STUNNING goal from Dale Stephens earned Bury a crucial point in the battle for survival - and ensured a happy reunion for Chris Hutchings against former club Bradford.

Stephens lined himself up from fully 20 yards with just two minutes to go in a game that looked to be lost.

But his swerving effort gave Bradford goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts no chance and salvaged a draw for Bury caretaker boss Chris Brass.

Brass had spent the build-up to the game trying to quash rumours that former Wigan manger Hutchings was set to succeed Chris Casper.

He was there, instead, on a strictly voluntary basis, owing to the pair's long-term friendship.

The visitors took the lead right on half time when David Buchanan inexplicably handled in the area under pressure from Peter Thorne.

Barry Conlon immediately placed the ball on the spot, before drilling down the centre and past Jim Provett.

Bury, though, showed the type of fighting spirit they will need if they to remain in league football, with the excellent Richie Baker forcing Ricketts into an early save after the break.

From the resulting corner Paul Scott had his head in his hands when heading wide at the back post.

If anything it convinced the home side they could trouble Bradford and they were back on level terms when Baker's defence splitting pass found the run of Andy Bishop on 57 minutes.

With only the goalkeeper to beat, Bishop never looked likely to pass up the opportunity and he duly drilled a shot past Ricketts.

Bradford came back, with Conlon a constant thorn, and might have taken the lead on a number of occasions before Omar Daley fed Kyle Nix on the left to fire what looked like the winner with just ten minutes to go.

Stephens, though, had other ideas and ensured Bury will head into the weekend's FA Cup clash with Southampton in much brighter spirits.


Article from the MEN (Manchester Evening News)

[Rufc89]

not a bad draw that, bradford have seemed to pick it up at bit. how this helps turn around your season