Bury 1 Wycombe 1

MICHAEL Nelson normally spends his days fitting blinds in Newcastle but on Saturday he took a few hours off - and ended up a hero writes Steve Canavan Nelson, a part timer with Unibond Premier League outfit Bishop Auckland, is on trial at Gigg Lane and manager Andy Preece has been so impressed with the 21-year-old he threw him into the first team.

Nelson repaid the manager's faith, producing a rock solid performance and scoring an excellent goal in the 52nd minute.

It should have been the first of many goals for Bury but they spurned a bagful of chances and ended up squandering two points when Wycombe's Dave Carroll equalised with 20 minutes left.

Preece wasn't pleased with the result but he was delighted with Nelson. ''He didn't put a foot,'' enthused the Bury boss. ''He did everything right, took his goal superbly and anyone watching wouldn't have known that was his first league game.''

Nelson emerged from the dressing afterwards to find he was the centre of media attention.

''I'm delighted to score but to be honest I just turned and hit it and it was a bit lucky to go in,'' said the 6'2 defender.

''Playing in the second division today was a lot more physical than I'm used to. I need to get a bit fitter and stronger but I really enjoyed it and hopefully I'll be involved again next week at Brentford.''

Nelson has done his chances of staying at Bury on a permanent basis no harm though given the current financial position of the club, the Shakers can't offer Nelson terms just yet.

That goes for most other players too though Terry Robinson revealed at the weekend that he believed the club would be brought by the end of May. The BEN understands a buyer has come forward and the details are being discussed and progress being made.

Disappointed

Preece wants the situation sorted out as quickly as possible as he needs to know not only which players he can keep but if he will keep his own job.

On Saturday he was disappointed his team didn't win. The first half was awful, notable only for the number of balls which sailed over the South Stand and out of the ground - an indication of the skill level on the pitch.

The biggest cheer was at half time for a 90-year-old Shakers fan who won a match ball in the raffle and then hobbled the length of the pitch to score a goal.

Things did improve in an exciting second 45 minutes. First Lutel James missed a sitter after being brilliantly set up by Jon Newby, then Nelson scored.

Looking like a team who would struggle to make the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy never mind the FA Cup semis, Wycombe failed to clear a Paul Reid corner and Nelson nervelessly struck a sweet half volley into the top corner.

James, impressive on his recall to the first team, then beat three men and played Newby through on goal but the striker couldn't beat keeper Martin Taylor who pushed the ball away.

On the hour Wycombe gave a sign of things to come. Guy Whittingham produced a header which had goal written all over it but Paddy Kenny somehow leapt full stretch to pull off a world class save.

On 71 minutes a Wycombe goal did arrive. A Michael Simpson free kick eventually fell to Carroll who struck his 100th career goal from a narrow angle.

The Shakers players did a lap of honour at the end and - with the club unable to offer new contracts - for many, it could be their final Gigg Lane appearance.

Michael Nelson, however, hopes not.

BURY: Kenny 8, Billy 7, C Swailes 7, Nelson 7, D Swailes 7, Armstong 7, Daws 7, Reid 7, James 8, Littlejohn 6, Newby 7. Subs: Connell, Jarrett, Martin, Borley, Hardy.

Attendance: 4,096