HUDDERSFIELD Town were denied an opening day win by Ryan Lowe’s 76th-minute strike – but no-one could really argue with the outcome.
Lee Clark’s new-look side (four debutants in the starting XI and another arrival coming off the bench) never fired on all cylinders.
That said, it looked as if Gary Roberts’ 65th-minute strike – side-footed home from a cross by substitute Lee Novak, who certainly livened Town up – might be enough to clinch the three points.
But Scouse striker Lowe, whose 27 goals helped Bury win promotion last season, was allowed enough space at the near post to force home a long throw from the right and earn his side their first League I point.
It was a deserved reward for persistent Bury, who just a minute earlier had watched in frustration as David Worrall’s shot was cleared off the line by home captain Peter Clarke.
They set the early tempo, with two efforts in the opening minute.
And even though it took them until the 27th to force Ian Bennett into a meaningful save (from Andy Bishop), they restricted Town to just one real effort on target in the first half, Tommy Miller’s low stoppage-time drive which was saved by Cameron Belford.
New boy Miller had gone on as a 29th-minute replacement for hamstring injury victim Anton Robinson, and the enforced change did nothing to help the fluency of a Town side which set up with Danny Ward up top alongside Jordan Rhodes, but ready to rotate with Roberts and Donal McDermott.
Like several members of the side, McDermott showed tantalising glimpses of the talent which attracted Clark.
But Town struggled to penetrate a Bury defence led by Galpharm old boy Efe Sodje, who defied his 38 years with an impressive performance.
The closest the home side came from three free-kicks within shooting range in the first half was the 25th-minute drive by Roberts which was deflected over the top.
At the other end, Town breathed a sigh of relief when referee Graham Scott dismissed Bury’s penalty claims after Mark Cullen tumbled under Clarke’s 10th-minute challenge.
