A frustrating day at Gigg Lane saw Bury share the spoils with visiting Irlam as the Shakers drew their home opener 2-2.

Playing on their new artificial surface at Gigg Lane and in front of their home support for the first time Bury had to come from behind twice but could not find the winning goal.

Manager Dave McNabb recalled captain Macauley Wilson to the starting lineup while Rustam Stepans was preferred to Irywah Gooden. Josh Gregory also made his first start of the season replacing Brad Carroll who suffered a long-term knee injury against Congleton. There were also places on the bench for new arrivals Cameron Fogerty and former Oldham man Lewis Alessandra.

Bury started restlessly with Bebeto Gomes going close with a rasping shot that just cleared the bar and Gregory fired a cross that just eluded Bury forward Ruben Jerome. At the other end, Takura Sambizi gave the hosts an early warning slipping past the defence forcing Bury keeper Tom Stewart into making a block and the chance was just cleared with Irlam forward, and former Shaker, Dec Daniels lurking.

The match turned on an incident in the 18th minute. A clash between Jerome and Irlam keeper Elliot Wynne saw the goalkeeper down for several long minutes. He was replaced by outfielder Mackenzie Stark.

Bury faced with an advantage tried to capitalise with a number of long-range efforts all either off-target or easily caught by the stand-in stopper. It was, in fact, Irlam who scored the first goal on Bury’s new pitch. John Johnston drifted between defenders and fired a shot that keeper Stewart left assuming it was wide only to see it settle into the bottom corner.

After the goal Irlam closed ranks and from there chances came at a premium for the Shakers. Irlam nearly grabbed a second as Sambizi cut inside for Johnston to shoot but Stewart was equal to the task on this occasion.

During eight minutes of added time due to Wynne’s injury Bury grabbed an equaliser. The Shakers had been growing into the contest with passes played to feet suiting the game of Stepans and Cherera and the Irlam defence was suddenly under pressure. Bury broke through with Stepans down the left side, his low cross was met by Jerome who poked home from a yard out for his second in two matches.

Bury however could not see out the first half without falling behind again. Mac Wilson lost the ball cheaply and in an effort to win the ball back brought down Daniels in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and with the last kick of the half former Shakers striker Dec Daniels regained the lead for Irlam.

Bury rang the changes at the break with Cameron Fogerty drafted into midfield, the absence of Brad Carroll telling, and later Lewis Alessandra made his debut as well. The home side were certainly more dominant in the second half but as in recent seasons when falling behind Bury struggle to break down a resolute opposition defence.

Rustam Stepans looked the most likely to find an equaliser, both he and Sam Coughlan had chances blocked by desperate Irlam defending. Eventually Bury did manage to break through, left back Connor Pye was felled on the edge of the box and the referee once again pointed to the penalty spot. Stepans stepped up to take the kick and empathically placed the ball into the top corner.

From there the Shakers pushed for a winner but couldn’t find the final ball. Stepans and Alessandra both had close range shots blocked while Jerome headed a cross over the bar and Alessandra fired a shot straight at stand in keeper Stark. Time eventually ran out on Bury who had to settle for a point on a day that left fans thinking what might have been.