BURY and Bolton Wildcats basketball team matched the near invincible Coventry Crusaders shot for shot right up the final few moments.

Only two National league sides have beaten Coventry during the last two league campaigns, the WildCats being one when they won the last game of last season.

Starting the game without the services of Chris McCormick, Nigel Yates, Steve Hickey and Scott Wardle the WildCats still managed to mount a serious challenge against a full strength Crusaders side.

With so many key players missing Bury and Bolton had to rely on their younger players and Stu Jackson produced a performance that belied his years. The 19-year-old faced the daunting prospect of being up against Coventry's power forward, Matt Donaldson, who had finished third in last season's All Star rankings. And the youngster just missed out on a career high triple-double of points scored, assists made and rebounds collected.

The visitors went into the interval with a 37-45 lead. The local lads matched their quality opponents and fine work by Sean McKie and Stu Jackson tied the scores.

With only four minutes left 'Dip' Donaldson completed his fifth long range shot of the game to crucially push the Crusaders clear and they never looked back as they took the game 91-82 to go level at the top of the National League.

On Saturday the WildCats make the long journey to the South Coast when they aim to eclipse the Solent Stars.

Bury and Bolton points' scorers: Larry Spencer 24, Sean McKie 17, Anthony Crow 16, Stu Jackson 15 and Ian Howard 10.

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