Port Vale 1 Bury 1

Last updated : 04 April 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Port Vale bounced back from successive away defeats to earn a well-earned point against promotion chasing Bury.

Teenager James Lawrie hooked the ball past Wayne Brown after 57 minutes before Elliott Bennett's 68th minute header secured a draw for the Shakers.

Dean Glover made three changes to the side that lost at Exeter in midweek with Lawrie, Lee Collins and Rob Taylor coming back into the fold.

Second-placed Bury remained unchanged in an attempt to secure back to back victories.

But in a scrappy opening, it was Vale who began the brighter with Paul Marshall testing Brown from a 24th minute free-kick.

Despite having an unenviable home record of 11 defeats, Vale continued to dominate possession and were able to frustrate their Bury counterparts.

The second half started brighter than the first and Lawrie produced an excellent first touch before firing straight at the grateful Brown.

Bury responded well with Mick Jones' 54th minute shot needing a strong hand from Vale keeper Chris Martin.

But just three minutes later the visitors were stung when Lawrie lofted home from 30 yards out after Brown was forced to head clear from outside his penalty area.

Vale seized control of the game and attempted to press for a second as Lawrie continued to torment the Bury defence.

However, David Buchanan's pinpoint cross found Bennett and the on-loan Wolves man powered his header past Martin to the delight of the travelling contingent.

Both sides attempted to conjure a late winner, but neither could breach two stubborn defences.