Pedro’s tenth not enough as Shakers share spoils in Bootle stalemate

Despite a second half comeback Bury had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to Bootle.

DJ Pedro grabbed his tenth goal of the season when he scored the Shakers equalising goal but missed the opportunity to take the lead when his potentially match winning penalty was saved.

There were two changes to the Bury team with Regan Riley recalled to the centre of the park and Owen Barker handed his first start. Owen Robinson who had shone in preseason before picking up an injury wiping out the start of his season made his first impact on the team claiming a spot on the bench. In opposition three former Bury players started for Bootle; Jack Lenehan, Lewis Earl and one time loanee Courtney Duffus.

In Dave McNabb’s first return to the Berry Street Garage stadium since he left the Bucks for Bury over two years ago it was a first half to forget.

It was a scrappy affair with neither side looking sharp. The hosts came into the match on the back of a 6-0 thumping and their defence in response worked hard to contain the Bury attack and prevent a repeat performance. DJ Pedro and Tyler James were both marked heavily while Kai Evans and Owen Barker on the wings were not able to make an impact in attack.

With the home side playing with the low November sunlight in their eyes the visitors could not capitalise on their first half advantage.

The Bucks attack was reduced to crosses into the Shakers box picked out the air easily by Mitch Allen, however it was the home side that took the lead just before the break. A cross in from the left found Ben Hodkinson who slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Bootle the lead with the only shot either side managed in the opening half.

Words will have been said at halftime as Bury came out with a fresh sense of urgency. Rustam Stepans was brought on and nearly scored early when he got on the end of an Evans cross only to see his shot deflected over the bar.

Just as in the previous week’s win a slow first half was followed by a frenetic start to the second and it was no surprise to see Bury get their goal. Reece Kendall had troubled the Bootle defence before with his long throws, ten minutes after the break he found DJ Pedro who glanced a header to the bottom corner beating Tony Thompson in the Bootle goal.

The Shakers attack continued. A lovely back heeled pass by Stepans found Bebeto Gomes, he passed to Pedro who was felled in the box. The referee pointed to the spot. Pedro stepped up to take the penalty himself but placed it too centrally and Thompson guessed right to make the save.

The penalty miss seemed to take the wind out of Bury’s sails as their attacks became less frequent. Bootle pushed back, enjoyed some possession and put the Bury defence on the back foot but never challenged Allen with a shot on goal again. At the other end Kendall placed a header towards the far post that Thompson saved well while late in stoppage time a counter attack saw Evans get hacked down outside the area. Stepans took the free kick but could only hit the wall.

The one point apiece was fitting for a side that still has difficulty winning away. They will have to find a solution from somewhere to keep pace with the leaders as they will be playing three matches away from Gigg Lane over the next two weeks.