Bury 1 Chester City 1: INDIFFERENT defending and finishing allowed Chester City to leave Gigg Lane with a point they scarcely deserved.

The word "mugged" was being bandied about after the match but the Shakers only had themselves to blame against a newly-promoted side previously lacking in confidence.

In fact, it could have been even worse for the Shakers had Colin Woodthorpe not tripped Michael Branch when the Seals' striker went racing through on goal in the dying seconds.

Woodthorpe probably saved his side a point with his professional foul and will now face a second suspension of the campaign.

City arrived with just one point from their opening three league matches.

They took a gifted lead in the 22nd minute when an under hit back pass from Bury skipper Dave Challinor left goalkeeper Glyn Garner stranded and Kevin Rapley set up Michael Branch for an easy goal.

Chris Porter might have levelled a minute later when he got on the end of a smart through ball from Dave Nugent but he hit his effort over the bar.

Then five minutes later after good work from Challinor and Tom Kennedy on the left Dwayne Mattis headed a good chance over from five yards.

Bury took control after the break and just before the hour mark the Shakers restored parity with a well taken goal from Porter.

Nugent reacted quickly to a poor clearance from Brown and fed Lee Unsworth who was steaming down the right flank.

Unsworth's cross found Porter at the near post and he expertly guided the ball between Brown and the post for a fine finish and his first goal of the season.

Porter was desperately unlucky to see a goalbound effort cleared off the line by Phil Bolland.

Mattis had a glorious chance to grab the winner in the 89th minute when Nugent sent him clear on a one-on-one with Brown which the keeper won.

That miss looked all the more costly when, seconds later, the ball ended up at the other end of the field and Woodthorpe was forced to do the dirty deed but thankfully, from the Shakers" point of view, the subsequent free-kick taken by Kevin Ellison was blocked by the Bury wall.

Bury Formguide:

Garner 7, Unsworth 7 (Whaley 72), Kennedy 7, Scott 7, Challinor 6, Woodthorpe 6, Mattis 6, Flitcroft 7, Barry-Murphy 6, Nugent 8, Porter 8 (Dunfield 90). Subs not used: Newby, Duxbury and Smith.

Referee: Mr K. Woolmer (Northampton). Attendance: 2,870.