The four minutes of added time proved a step too far as Hereford conceded a late Ryan Lowe equalising goal at Gigg Lane this afternoon after debutant Guillem Bauza had converted from the spot early in the second half.
Simon Davey made three changes introducing Bauza to the attack and recalling both fit-again Michael Townsend and James McQuilkin.
Bartlett was quickly down to comfortably gather a snap shot from Bishop early on and was also called to action shortly afterwards to beat away a swerving angled shot from the edge of the box from Jones. The Shakers were the sharper outfit during the first quarter although Bartlett was only required to take some regulation crosses and a couple of shots from distance as the central pairing of Rose and Townsend provided a solid guard.
Fleetwood made ground down the left before switching the ball inside to Manset before the ball found it's way to Colbeck via Wee Jimmy but the wingers cross was cleared at the expense of the first corner of the game. McQuilkin's flag-kick failed to produce a threat on goal and neither did Bauza's effort just after as he blazed over from 15 yards. Valentine was harshly penalised when Lowe threw himself to the floor over the fullbacks outstretched leg when the Bulls defender had already cleared the ball but fortunately, Lowe's free kick was deflected wide by Richard Rose. Then with less than ten minutes of the half remaining, Bury were awarded one of the softest penalties I've ever seen. As the ball was swung in from the right, Lowe and Townsend tracked it across in front of the six-yard area with Lowe tugging at Townsend’s shirt. As the Bulls defender pushed his arm away, Lowe tumbled to the ground and referee Eltringham pointed to the spot. Justice was, however, seen as Bartlett dived to his right to save Bishops low penalty kick. The half ended with Colbeck testing home keeper Belford and The Bulls, although still scoreless, having given a good account of themselves largely due to a sensible formation and players doing their jobs.
HT Bury 0 Bulls 0
The Bulls were quickly out of the blocks in the second period and opened the scoring with their first goal since Kovacs' header at Crewe in the opening game when Bauza converted from the spot. Buaza broke into the Bury penalty area and as he shaped to shoot from about 8 yards had his leg hooked away by Picken. The Spaniard grabbed the ball himself and coolly side footed passed Belford.
Hereford continued to give as good as they got with Bartlett and Belford both making decent saves from Haworth and Colbeck respectively. Bauza screwed an effort wide and Efe Sodje grazed the bar with a header before The Bulls were reduced to ten men when Kenny Lunt collected his second yellow of the day. Bauza was promptly withdrawn to make way for replacement midfielder Daniel Stratford. From then on, it was pretty much backs to the wall as Bury launched balls into the Bulls penalty area looking for flicks from Bishop to produce the chances for an equaliser. Valentine conceded a foul close to the touchline and the quickly taken free kick was glanced in by Lowe but the strike was ruled out when the referee insisted on a re-take.
Bury continued to pepper The Bulls back line and substitute Danny Carlton missed a decent chance although The Beast also had a chance to grab a second goal the visitors when he burst into the box but Belford was out to narrow the angle and the ball cannoned off his leg to safety. Worrall forced a fingertip save from Bartlett with a stinging effort. Then with the game already into the four added minutes, Sweeney saw a shot bounce off the top of the bar before a last gasp cross from the right was headed in at the back post by Ryan Lowe to level the scores.
FT Bury 1 Bulls 1
This was, certainly in the first half, a performance much improved on the previous week. Rose and Townsend looked a decent, solid pairing and the Lunt/McQuilkin partnership generally worked well until the early bath beckoned. Colbeck and Fleetwood, on the flanks, both worked hard while Bauza offered something new as he hovered around the space just behind Manset to time his moves late into the box. Whilst it was disappointing to concede so late in the game, a draw was probably a fair result given the imbalance caused by the dismissal. The game was watched by 2753 with a reported 152 in the away end. With a week to get used to the new player and the balanced 4-4-2 looking more promising, the visit of Southend next Saturday suddenly starts to look more appetising.
Hereford: Bartlett, Green, Rose, Townsend, Valentine, Colbeck, Lunt, McQuilkin, Fleetwood, Manset (Canham 90), Bauza (Stratford 73). Subs unused: Whittaker, Weir, Werling, Malsom, Rabihou.
Bury: Belford, Picken (Bennett 83), Lees, Sodje, Skarz, M Jones, Sweeney, Mozika, Haworth (Worrall 70), Bishop (Carlton 70), Lowe. Subs unused: Futcher, Branagan, A Jones, Harrop