Crewe Alexandra 2 - Bury 2 Scorers: Bury's Darren Bullock and Ady Littlejohn BURY gave themselves a fine chance of a money-spinning Worthington Cup second round tie with this draw against First Division opponents.

It was a superb display from Andy Preece's men who will be kicking themselves for not finishing the Railwaymen off after surrendering a two goal lead in the last six minutes.

Preece made three changes from the weekend, dropping himself and Paul Barnes while Dean Barrick was missing after twisting his back in training.

In came Bhaichung Bhutia who partnered Ady Littlejohn up front and Darren Bullock who slotted into the left side of midfield with Paul Reid playing a deeper role.

It was Bullock who opened the scoring after 58 when, following some tricky footwork from Bhutia in the Crewe box, he drilled a low 30-yard drive out of the reach of Jason Kearton and just inside the post.

It was just the fillip the Shakers needed - and deserved - and they doubled their tally in the 76th minute when Littlejohn reacted quickly in a goalmouth scramble to lash the ball into the roof of the net.

His joy won't have been unduly killed after he received a booking for removing his shirt in his subsequent celebration!

But it was a cruel twist of fate that allowed Alex back into the game.

When Martyn Forrest, who replaced the tiring Bullock, allowed the ball to run out of play for a clear Bury throw-in amazingly the referees assistant flagged the other way.

Clearly frustrated by the decision, seconds later Reid put in a heavy challenge on Rodney Jack and from the subsequent free-kick young central defender Stephen Foster's header crept inside a post with Kenny slow to react.

For the first time in the game Crewe began to look dangerous and two minutes later they were level.

On any other day Danny Swailes' clearance would have cannoned off an inrushing forward and have run into touch but this one fell invitingly into the path of Mark Rivers who had time and space to fire hard and low past Kenny.

From then on the Shakers held firm and almost grabbed the winner in injury time when Littlejohn had an effort cleared off the line following a goalmouth melee.

"We played absolutely tremendously tonight. I'm so proud of how the lads went about the job," said Shakers boss Preece.

"In the second half we passed the ball as good as Crewe and were well on top but it was just a lack of concentration that let them back in."

BURY: Kenny 7, Daws 8, Collins 8, C. Swailes 7 (D. Swailes, 45, 7), Billy 7, Littlejohn 7, Reid 7, Bullock 8 (Forrest, 73), Redmond 7, Bhutia 7 (Preece, 80), Unsworth 8. Subs not used: James and Jarrett.

Referee: Mr M. R. Warren (Walsall)

Attendance: 3,199

qSHAKERS midfielder Darren Bullock has staked his claim for a starting berth with a goal in his first full match of the season

The combative midfielder struggled during the club's pre-season campaign with a back injury but is almost back to full fitness and raring to go.

He opened the scoring at Crewe last night with a fine 25-yard drive and is hoping he's done enough for Andy Preece to give him a run in the side after impressing at Gresty Road.

"I'm pleased to get on the scoresheet and hopefully the gaffer will give me a long run in the side," he said.

"We switched it around from Saturday and I really enjoyed playing a wider role that was a little different than I'm used to.

"The gaffer had given us licence to play a bit more around the edge of the box and he's encouraged me to have a go when I get the chance.

"Although my shot bounced about fifteen times before it went in I was pleased that it did - they all count don't they!

"We're very disappointed to give away the lead but that's football. We'd probably have taken 2-2 before the game but they won't fancy coming to our place!" added Bullock.