Bury 1 Lincoln City 1

Last updated : 02 October 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Paul Scott's second goal of the season earned Bury a well-deserved point to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Chris Casper, although it was secured in front of the lowest gate at Gigg Lane in 2007.

A crowd of just 1,690 turned up to watch the Shakers against the Red Imps, more than 1,000 less than Saturday's 2-1 home win against Accrington.

Last season's leading scorer Andy Bishop missed a 14th-minute penalty after being felled by loan defender Hamza Bencherif.

And as a result the home team found themselves behind when Scott Kerr fired the visitors in front four minutes later.

But former Huddersfield centre-back Scott quickly levelled matters with a sweet strike as Dave Challinor's trademark long-throw caused havoc in the Lincoln box.

Casper made two changes to the side which prevailed at the weekend with goalscorers Andy Mangan and Nicky Adams - both of whom came off the substitutes' bench to score - restored to the starting line-up.

Jack Dorney, the promising 17-year-old midfielder, and out-of-sorts striker Glynn Hurst made way and were forced to settle for a place on the bench.

And it was Mangan that forced Alan Marriott to make a smart stop shortly after the penalty miss, his powerful header from Brian Barry-Murphy's corner nearly yielded the opener.

However, Bury were then hit with a sucker-punch as Nat Brown's throw-in led to Kerr firing the visitors ahead.

Bury started slowly and were nearly punished in the 11th minute, but luckily for them Lincoln striker Oliver Ryan fired wide.

Mangan forced keeper Marriott to make another smart stop as Bury pressed, his powerful header from Barry-Murphy's corner nearly yielding the opener.

Kerr scored, only for Casper's battling charges to level in the 24th minute thanks to a clinical finish from Scott who, lurking in unfamiliar territory, left Marriott no chance from close range.

Mangan went close straight after the break, while Bishop had a shot charged down.

Bencherif went close to making amends for his penalty blunder, but headed wide when in a good position.

Barry-Murphy saw a fierce shot go wide of the target in the 55th minute, while at the other end Paul Green fired past the post.

Lincoln kept pressing and Bury keeper Jim Provett saved well from Louis Dodds shortly after the hour mark and then from Green.

Green wasted another chance late on, while David Buchanan missed the best chance of the lot with nine minutes left.