Bury 0, Colchester 0 KEVIN Duguid spared Bury's blushes as Colchester put the brakes on the Shakers' recent great run of form.

Bury dominated from the start of the game but couldn't turn their pressure into goals.

In-form striker Adrian Littlejohn went close, as did player/manager Andy Preece and right back Matt Barrass, who thumped another second-half effort just over the Colchester cross bar.

Duguid could have pinched all the glory though four minutes after Colchester's man of the moment Lomana Tresor Lua Lua limped .

The Shakers slackness let Duguid into the penalty box but Bury goalkeeper Paddy Kenny managed to force him wide and Duguid missed the target with his shot.

Colchester could hit the bull's-eye later this week though if Zaire-born hitman Lua Lua moves on.

Newcastle United are the favourites to land the man who was also watched by Bradford City boss Chris Hutchings last night.

Colchester chairman Peter Heard confirmed: "The matter will be discussed and, hopefully, resolved later this week."

If Colchester do rake in the cash for Lua Lua it will put Bury's own financial plight into sharp perspective.

After last Saturday's encouraging gate of 4775 that witnessed the win over second division table topping rivals Walsall, last night's attendance dipped to an alarming 2577.

That will not stop the Shakers pulling out all the stops in an attempt to get back on the winning trail at rock bottom Oxford on Saturday.

BURY: Kenny 7, Collins 6, Redmond 7, C Swailes 7, Barrass 7, Billy 7, Daws 6, Bullock 6, Reid 6, Preece 6, Littlejohn 8. Substitutes: Crowe (for Preece, 71 minutes), Forrest (for Bullock, 79 minutes), James (for Barrass, 81 minutes). Not used: Barrick, D Swailes. Referee: Mr A Kaye. Attendance: 2577.