Bury vs Lincoln City. Sky Bet League Two.
The Energy Check Stadium at Gigg LaneAttendance5,169.
Saturday 26 January 2019 20:14, UK
Bury shared the spoils with League Two leaders Lincoln after they came from behind three times to secure a remarkable 3-3 draw at Gigg Lane.
Danny Rowe netted his third goal of the week to break the deadlock (9), but Jay O'Shea's piledriver from 25 yards restored parity for the third-placed Shakers (15).
A Chris Stokes own goal saw the Imps regain the lead (25) and, just before half-time, Nicky Adams tucked a cross past Grant Smith at the far post (42).
John Akinde's penalty gave Danny Cowley's men the lead once more (63) but, with four minutes remaining, Will Aimson powered home a corner to earn third-placed Bury a point; they sit third on 53 points, having played a game more than both Lincoln, who have 59 points, and second-placed Mansfield (54).
Both sides are renowned for their desire to move up the gears early on in games and this was no exception, as the Imps took a ninth-minute lead; Stokes misjudged the pace of the ball on the slick surface, allowing Rowe to drive on and tuck a shot past Joe Murphy.
A careless pass from Aimson then allowed Harry Anderson to sting Murphy's palms, but the Shakers were soon back on level terms at the other end when O'Shea's 25-yard effort skidded over the line.
Cian Bolger's skewed effort was turned home by the unfortunate Stokes as Lincoln stamped their authority on the game once more, but Adams concluded a spell of Bury dominance by expertly side-footing Danny Mayor's deflected cross home to round off a manic first half.
The visitors started on the front foot as they tried to press the issue immediately from the restart and they were gifted the chance to do so when Akinde's classy penalty put them 3-2 up after Callum McFadzean tripped Harry Anderson.
The game continued in its topsy-turvy nature and, though it looked as if Akinde's goal would send the Imps seven points clear at the top of the table, Aimson headed home Adams' late corner to earn a deserved point for Ryan Lowe's side.
When Michael Bostwick joined him in defence later on in the game, the Imps' central defensive pairing had a combined age of 65, but that did not stop Shackell turning in a vintage performance at the back.
Ryan Lowe: "We're frustrated in terms of the mistakes we've made to gift them some goals. They are a great team and they put bodies on the line, but you've seen what we had about us today; our entertainment and the character of the boys.
"So we're disappointed in the goals we've given away, but I can't thank them enough. Their desire and commitment to get back into the game was second to none."
Danny Cowley: "It was a good game, hard-fought between two good teams in really difficult conditions. We're disappointed because we got into the lead three times, but I think you have to credit Bury for the way they came back. Certainly with the ball they are the best team in this division.
"I think we are a little bit more pragmatic away from home; I think you've always got to earn the right away and try to get a foothold in the game and that's what we look to do. We did that really well today, I thought."
Bury host Crawley at Gigg Lane next Saturday afternoon, while Lincoln travel to basement club Notts County, who are without a win since mid-December.
