Bury 1 Oxford 1 by Chris Hall: SHAKERS may have dropped back out of Division Three's play-off zone but they remain in the hunt for automatic promotion.

The astonishing water tight nature of the table's top half allowed Bury to drop two points and fall into eighth place, yet still close the gap on the top three to set up a thrilling season climax.

Whatever happens over the coming weeks, Shakers now look certain to be in with a shout of at least a play-off spot come the last match of a long and winding campaign.

But that will be no thanks to their home form.

At this stage of the season, most teams would crave a run of three consecutive home games to boost their run-in.

But another glut of wasted chances left them with only four points from their homecoming and they will be delighted to be boarding the team bus again for the trip to Darlington on Saturday.

Jon Newby was, on the face of it at least, the guilty party. No fewer than four glorious chances fell to, and through, his hands in a frustrating afternoon for the club's top scorer.

He had one shot deflected as it soared goalwards, pushed another wide of the mark after racing on to a beautiful through ball from Pawel Abbott and saw another strike well parried before sending the rebound fizzing over the bar.

But to focus on his failings after such a magnificent all-round display would be churlish. The truth is, he was the best player on the field bar none.

His endeavour in defence and down the channels, complemented by his pinpoint passing, created chances for a host of other players while his excellent vision and movement were what put him in such promising situations in the first place.

Indeed, it was his fearsome cross from the right flank which laid on Bury's opener after 21 minutes. He found the outstanding Colin Cramb on the penalty spot, whose shot could not be held, and Abbott pounced rapidly to force the ball home from six yards.

The strike was just reward for a dominant early spell, which Shakers replicated for no reward for most of the second period.

But they slackened off soon after taking the lead and Scott McNiven punished them ten minutes later with a bobbling shot that appeared to take a deflection on its way past a bemused Glyn Garner.

Form guide: Garner 7, Connell 8, Clegg 7, Woodthorpe 8, Swailes 8, Nelson 8, Forrest 7, Billy 8, Newby 9, Abbott 7, Cramb 8. Subs used: Nugent (for Clegg 85mins) 6. Not used: Porter, Rowe, Dunfield, Stuart.

Referee: Mr A Kaye. Attendance: 2,578.