Lowe pleased with point against Cheltenham

Posted Wednesday, March 06, 2019 by PA

Bury boss Ryan Lowe said that their 1-1 draw at Cheltenham could prove to be a useful point in their title challenge.

A win would have taken the Shakers above Lincoln and top of the table on goal difference.

Scott Wharton put Bury in front, but Billy Waters earned Cheltenham a share of the spoils, with both goals coming in the first half.

“I am pleased with the point and it’s another game unbeaten for us,” Lowe said.

“It was attack versus defence for most of the game, but that’s what team are going to do, get 10 men behind the ball and fight hard.

“I am disappointed with their goal, but the lads have worked hard and there are some tired legs in there, so we’ll recover for another trip away to Stevenage on Saturday.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and we know what Michael Duff’s teams are going to be all about and he’s done ever so well since coming into the job.

“They got in our faces and made it awkward. We have to handle that and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it was disappointing not to get a second goal.”

Duff was pleased with the result against the team he rates highly.

“It’s definitely a point gained as I think they are the best team in the league,” he said.

“We had to weather a storm in the first 10 minutes because they came out of the traps flying.

“The reaction to going 1-0 down was good and to find a way to get a result is pleasing.

“They had some pressure, but we had a couple of good chances ourselves.

“It was a hard-earned, but deserved point for us and they are a very good team, who move it around well and Danny Mayor shouldn’t be playing at this level for me.

“We played a bit longer than we normally do and it’s definitely a positive result.”

The Shakers made a strong start, opening the scoring through Wharton’s 13th minute header after Jay O’Shea’s cross.

Scott Flinders had already made an outstanding save to deny Dominic Telford and Byron Moore slammed an effort into the side netting.

Cheltenham were they forced to withstand some heavy pressure after falling behind, but they stood firm and found a leveller in the 33rd minute.

A free-kick from Chris Clements caused problems in the Bury box and Charlie Raglan set up Waters to make it 1-1 with a close range finish.

It was the forward’s first goal since returning to Cheltenham on loan from Northampton.

Bury asked questions of Cheltenham in the second half and substitute Nicky Maynard had the ball in the net for Bury late on, but the offside flag was raised and Ryan Lowe’s side had to settle for a point.