Bury Town dropped two more vital points due to a late equaliser by the visitors after Blues had come from behind to take an interval lead, and but for a man of the match performance by keeper Marcus Garnham, it could have been worse.
Bury started well and forced several corners, one of which ended in the net but it was disallowed.
Wingate then settled and Garnham did well to save from Leon Smith as he bore down on goal. Mark Coulson then cleared off the line from David Laird as the visitors pushed forward.
It came as no surprise when they took the lead on 22 minutes. A pinpoint cross from Max Mitchell was met by a fine header at the far post by Laird which gave Garnham no chance.
Bury recovered well from this setback, but were unable to trouble Bobby Smith in the Wingate goal. It was Garnham who again saved his side with a fine save from Laird.
Bury got back on terms after 37 minutes, when good work by Lee Reed led to Sam Reed forcing a good save from Smith only for John Sands to follow up to score at the second attempt.
John Kennedy then had two good efforts saved by the keeper, and Garnham yet again denied Laird as the game opened up.
Bury took the lead two minutes before the break when a good header by Tom Bullard was parried by Smith and Lee Smith netted the rebound.
Half Time Bury Town 2 Wingate and Finchley 1
The second half began very quietly with neither side being able to create a clear cut chance on a difficult pitch made slippery by the persistent rain.
As the half wore on Wingate began to take the initiative and it was Garnham again who denied Smith with a great block at the striker`s feet. Another amazing double save from Smith and Laird preserved Bury’s lead as the visitors poured forward in search of an equaliser.
This duly came in the second minute of stoppage time when Laird fired home from close range in a goalmouth melee following a corner.
Full Time Bury Town 2 Wingate and Finchley 2 |
