GLYNN Hurst eased the pressure on Bury boss Chris Casper with a strike deep into injury time against nine-man Wrexham.

The 28-year-old striker claimed his 11th goal of the season to save the Shakers' blushes after the home side had seen both Chris Llewellyn and Ryan Valentine sent off within 10 minutes of each other for violent conduct in the second half.

Watched by a crowd of more than 7,000, the Welshmen rode into a controversial 32nd minute lead when former Accrington Stanley striker Lee McEvily slammed home from close range, despite appearing to be in an offside position.

Hurst then missed two gilt-edged chances, as first Valentine cleared his hooked shot off the line before he sent a dipping half-volley just over John Ruddy's crossbar.

Andy Bishop continued the Shakers' wasteful attitude in front of goal, latching on to Richie Baker's pass before hitting a shot on the turn just wide of the post.

The tide turned in Bury's favour when Llewellyn needlessly lunged into a challenge with Jason Kennedy on the edge of the Bury penalty area, giving referee Stuart Matthieson no choice but to award him a straight red card.

Valentine followed soon after, as he dived into a tackle with Darren Kempson on the touchline - sparking a furious reaction from a partisan home crowd. Bishop then wasted two opportunities in as many minutes as Bury threatened to waste their numerical advantage.

The Birmingham-born striker has not scored since January - and his confidence was visibly dented after being twice denied by Wrexham keeper Ruddy, on loan from Everton.

It nearly all went wrong eight minutes from time as Robbie Garrett took the ball from his own penalty area and danced fully 70 yards past four Shakers challenges before slashing his shot high and wide.

Bury threw everything forward, and Pugh and substitute Tony Bedeau had shots charged down before the breakthrough finally materialised.

Dave Challinor's long throw was flicked into the path of Hurst, who brought the ball under control quickly before rifling a low shot under Ruddy into the back of the net.

Although the result means the Shakers have still not won in 14 games, the point keeps a three-point gap between themselves and Wrexham in the fight against the drop. And the manner in which they claimed it will surely buoy Bury's confidence heading into next weekend's similarly vital game against Macclesfield Town.

Shakers: Warrington 6; Scott 6; Tom Kennedy 6; Challinor 7; Bishop 6; Baker 8 (Speight 84); Buchanan 6 (Bedeau 5, 64); Pugh 6; Jason Kennedy 8; Kempson 7; Hurst 7. Subs: Fitzgerald; Wroe; Parrish.

Referee: Stuart Matthieson (Stockport) Attendance: 7,030.