RECORD CROWD FOR BURY DRAW

Oumar Camara races clear of the Bury defenders.

As it happened, what Bury achieved was irrelevant as both the south Manchester sides notched up 3-0 victories, and in the end, a resilient Ramsbottom United team ensured that the Shakers left with just a single point after an enjoyable, if goalless, ninety minutes.

Not only did the home side deny the league’s second highest goal-scorers a goal, but they did it in front of a crowd of 2,138, the biggest home attendance in the club’s history.

If the visitors were hoping for an easy game, they were very much wrong, for whilst they may have enjoyed more possession, the determination of the Rams to deny their illustrious neighbours, ensured that this was a match played in the right competitive manner, and one enjoyed by the large and well-behaved crowd.

The determination of both sides was clear from the off.

After just six minutes, the ever-dangerous Tanaka Cherera raced through but Chris Thompson was equal to him, whilst at the other end, Matty Birchall was also denied from close range.

Almost immediately, Cherera was again through, and after rounding the keeper, was frustrated to see his goal-bound effort scooped off the line by Theo Butterworth.

A corner was turned onto his own bar by Thompson before heading out for another, whilst the home keeper again denied Cherera as he came in from the left.

Cherera, who was a constant threat before his surprising substitution in the second half, again cut in from the left, but his shot rose over the bar, and that was moments after Harry Wright, in the Bury goal, was called into action to tip over a drive from Dylan McMahon.

So, plenty of goal-mouth action, but no goals as the half-time break arrived, and this continued as the teams reappeared.

Wright was on hand to push another Rams corner over the bar, before Birchall was again denied by a last gasp tackle.

At the other end, Andy Briggs raced through for Bury but his attempt sailed wide.

Chances continued to be created. McMahon was inches away from connecting at the far post, whilst Bury substitute Miles Storey hit the side netting.

The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was on 91 minutes when another substitute Jacon Holland-Wilkinson was denied by the woodwork, as Bury piled on the pressure in the closing minutes.

But, that apart, a determined Ramsbottom rearguard were rewarded by keeping out the free-scoring opponents allowing the Rams to grab a point and finish what had been a frustrating home campaign with a well-deserved point in front of great atmosphere on a more than welcome dry afternoon.

Manager Steve Wilkes was pleased with the outcome. “Really proud of the players today. To play three games in five days at any level is tough and we had to patch a few of them up both before and at half-time.

“We withstood an aerial onslaught for most of the game and ultimately had the two clearest chances to win it.

“A massive well done to everyone involved in getting the game to run smoothly and that includes the Bury fans who I thought were impeccable throughout the game.

“The lads can put their feet up for a few days before we play our final game of the season on Thursday.”

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Thompson, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Allen, Lent, Butterworth, Walker, Birchall, Camara, D.McMahon (Walder 96mins), Sephton (Lucas 45mins), Subs not used: Lawless, Ogunby, Wood

Att: 2,138