Match Report

Bury stayed on course for promotion and but for the woodwork it could have been even better for them.

Substitute Danny Racchi rattled the crossbar with a last-minute free-kick as the points were shared in a pulsating clash.

Bury had been in front twice, but plucky Darlington rallied and fully deserved a share of the spoils.

Bury wasted no time in stamping their authority in the early exchanges against a Darlo side down to the bare bones and with 16-year-old Curtis Main in attack.

The visitors forced two early corners and although Darlington scrambled them clear they were behind on nine minutes, when a fierce drive from Glynn Hurst took a big deflection off defender Tim Ryan to fly inside the post.

But the home side rallied and Franz Burgmeier saw a low drive deflected just passed the post. Then Main almost forced in a pass from Rob Purdie.

However, the Quakers were level on 38 minutes when Burgmeier crossed from the left for Jason Kennedy to head home from close range.

Darlington were well on top early in the second half and twice Bury keeper Wayne Brown was stretched to keep out shots from Pawel Abbott.

Then Purdie opened up the defence in exchanging passes with Main and again Brown came to the rescue. However, Bury were back in front on 53 minutes when Efe Sodje escaped his marker to head home a corner from Brian Barry-Murphy.

Darlington's luck was out when Burgmeier crossed low to Purdie, whose goalbound shot was deflected inches past the post.

But the home side needed keeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak to be at his best to save another close-range header from Sodje, again from Barry-Murphy's delivery.

It proved vital, for Abbott fired Darlington level, converting Main's pass at the second attempt.

Both sides went all out for victory and Bury came closest. Andy Bishop sent a low drive across the face of goal, before the crossbar came to the home side's rescue in the last minute.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides