Past Match Reports can also be viewed by selecting on the appropriate fixture within the "Fixture List"

Date of Game

Sat, 29 Apr 2000

Opponents

Reading

Venue

Home

Competition

Nationwide League
Division Three

Result

1-1

Attendance

3,869

The Bury Team was:-


Read the
Programme

13
29
24
6
26
14
4
19
10
9
21
17
31
12
18
35

Paddy Kenny
Matt Barrass
Danny Swailes?? (Halford 84)
Chris Swailes
Nicky Hill
Marvyn Bryan?? (Avdiu 62)
Nick Daws
Martyn Forrest
Baichung Bhutia
Paul Barnes?? (Preece 71)
Adrian Littlejohn.
Steve Redmond
Lee Connell
Kemadjl Avdiu?? (Bryan 62)
Andy Preece?? Goal 89? (Barnes 71)
Stephen Halford?? (Danny Swailes 84)

Key to Graphics

- Booked?? : ??? - Sent Off ?? :?? - 2nd Yellow & Sent Off
? - Substitute On/Off

Reports from the Internet and Local Papers

The Press association:
Bury's acting player-manager Andy Preece came to the rescue of his side when he scored a last minute equaliser to give the Shakers a point in their last home game of the season. ? In a dire first half with both sides struggled to control the ball on a rutted pitch, with the only movement of note leading to a goal for Reading's 22-goal top scorer Darren Caskey.? It was a lead they looked like keeping to the end because Bury were unable to make any impression on a solid Reading defence despite dominating possession. ? But Preece came on with 20 minutes to go to turn the game and give Bury the point, which on the balance of play they fully deserved.

Teamtalk:
A last minute strike by Andy Preece cancelled out Darren Caskey's first half strike to earn Bury a point in a 1-1 draw against Reading.? Bury had the better of the chances in the first half with Reading rarely threatening the Shakers defence.? Baichung Bhutia's header back across goal after a cross from the left was heading straight towards the unmarked Paul Barnes who had the goal at his mercy but the Royals defence managed to scramble the ball behind.? From the resulting corner Danny Swailes saw his header cleared off the line.? When the Reading goal game just before the break it was against the run of play.? Darren Caskey notched his 22nd goal of the season on 43 minutes when volleying home six yards out from goal after Forster picked him out with a header back across goal.? After the break Reading nearly increased their lead but Smith could only blaze his shot over the bar.? It seemed as though Reading were heading for all three points until Preece picked the ball up 30 yards out before firing past Whitehall.

The Pink:
SHAKERS player boss Andy Preece saved the day with an 89th minute equaliser for Bury. ? Readings Darren Caskey had threatened to be a party pooper when he put his side in the lead early in the first half.? But the Shakers set about giving their fans something to cheer as they piled on the pressure in the second half.? With youngsters offered free admission, the newly opened Cemetery End was nearly full and Bury player-boss Andy Preece had urged his side to produce a grandstand finish for the last home game of the season.? Preece shuffled his pack again, with Paul Barnes back from injury, and returns for Nick Daws, Baichung Bhutia and Danny Swailes.? Preece named himself sub and gave Nicky Hill his first Gigg Lane start.? Bury responded to Preeces call and after four minutes, a sweeping Daws pass found Adie Littlejohn in space on the left.? His superb 50-yard crossfield ball picked out Bhutia, and the little Indians header back across goal was bundled clear with Barnes ready to pounce.? Bury kept the heat on and Martyn Forrests cracking 25-yard drive was parried by keeper Phil Whitehead, with Bhutia inches away from reaching the rebound. ? Readings Sammy Igoe became the games first booking for failing to retreat ten yards from a Daws free kick.? Forrest, the best player on the pitch in the first half, came close to fastening the opening goal. His clever free kick picked out Daws in space in the area, only for the skippers control to let him down. ? The visitors took the lead on 41 minutes, when Matt Robinsons cross found Nicky Forster beyond the far post. He knocked the ball back across for DARREN CASKEY to thump home.? Bury battled hard to get back into the game in the second half and Barnes almost provided the equaliser.? Paddy Kennys huge clearance forced veteran defender Barry Hunter to head towards his own goal and when keeper Whitehead was forced to dive and knock the ball away, Barnes latched on to it only to hit the side netting.? Chris Swailes then missed a great opportunity after Bhutia produced a spectacular diving header to retrieve Daws free kick which was heading out of play beyond the far post. The ball fell at his feet of the big defender but he shot wide. ? Preece played his last card in a bid to get back the goal by bringing himself on as substitute for Barnes. It almost worked as his cross from the right hand side found fellow sub Kemajl Avdiu at the far post but he could only tamely volley into the keepers hands.? Moments later Avdiu found himself in a similar position and this time he beat the keeper only for the ball to rebound off the post.?

Sky Sports:
Caretaker manager Andy Preece did his chances of landing the Gigg Lane manager's job on a full-time basis no harm by grabbing a last minute equaliser.? Preece bagged his 12th league goal of the season in the dying seconds, spotting keeper Phil Whitehead off his line before flighting a delightful chip into the corner of the net.? Earlier, the Shakers had fallen behind to Darren Caskey's 22nd goal of the season for the Royals. The former Tottenham midfielder volleyed in from eight yards after Nicky Forster had headed across the face of the goal.?

Sports.Com Website:
An injury-time strike from Bury caretaker-manager Andy Preece could bring the goal of a permanent post. He levelled the scores with an audacious effort from 30 yards just when Darren Caskey 's first-half volley had looked sufficient to land all three points for Reading.? Preece had demanded a late season push from his players and Bury certainly made the brighter start but after threatening twice in the opening six minutes they ran out of ideas.? The flanks were the obvious route to goal for they at least were well grassed and when Adrian Littlejohn swung in an early cross to the far post, Baichung Bhutia tried to pick up Paul Barnes with a return cross but a superb defensive block from Adrian Williams ended the danger.? Midfielder Martyn Forrest, one of several younger players given an opportunity by Bury, fired in a 25 yarder and only a full-length dive and save by Phil Whitehead kept the ball out.? With both sides guaranteed Division Two football an end of term attitude crept into the game with little thought given to good football as the ball was ballooned back and forth.? There was no end product until the 42nd minute when Matthew Robinson launched a deep cross, Nick Forster nodded the ball back into the middle and Darren Caskey volleyed home a right-foot shot from eight yards. ? The goal prompted both sides to raise the tempo with Reading's penalty appeals turned down in the 53rd minute after Chris Swailes appeared to trip Forster.? Bury responded with Paul Barnes almost cashing in on Barry Hunter's weak back pass and tempers briefly flared when Barnes kicked Neil Smith from behind in an off-the-ball incident not spotted by the officials.? Indian national team skipper Baichung Bhutia snapped at a half chance and found the side netting before substitute Kemajl Avdiu spurned another chance with his low angled drive rebounding back into play off the near post.? With Reading content to drop men back to protect their lead it seemed Bury had shot their bolt. ? But with 90 minutes on the clock substitute Preece spotted Phil Whitehead off his line and a superbly judged chip shot dropped neatly into the empty net to sign off Bury's home programme in fine style.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph:
The Shakers end of season party at Gigg Lane never quite lived up to its billing, and Bury had to work hard on an afternoon which seemed destined to be one of those days when the ball won't go into the net. The visitors had taken a first half lead through Darren Caskey, and it took a last minute "goal of the season" from player manager Andy Preece to finally earn a point. But there is much to admire in this youthful Bury line up and man of the match Martyn Forrest showed how influential he is likely to be next term, despite the fact that the pitch at Gigg Lane is much overused and in very poor condition making quality football difficult. But Preeces' men have shown a spirit exemplified by the number of last minute goals scored in recent games, and the twenty five yard deft lob from the popular manager to level the score in the dying moments was just the tonic to spark an after match ovation for the young boss and his younger charges, from whom much will be expected next season.

Sports First on Sunday Newspaper:
Bury player manager Andy Preece grabbed a late leveller as Bury picked up a point from their final home league match of the season.? In a niggly, typically end of season encounter it looked as if the visitors would take all three points until the Bury Manager's intervention.? Both sides were struggling to create clear cut openings but the visitors broke the deadlock after 42 minutes.? Matthew Robinson sent in a left wing cross that was met by Noick Forster and his header fell nicely into the path of Darren Caskey who rifled home his 22nd goal of the season.? Desperate defending foiled Adrian Littlejohn after 53 minutes when he had a goal bound effort blocked. ? The introduction of leading scorer Preece earned the Shakers a point which was the least they deserved.? In the 90th minute he superbly lobbed Whitehead from 30 yards for his 12th goal of the season.

Bury Times:
A STREAKER, male in case anyone was curious, did his own lap of honour around the pitch at a near-deserted Gigg Lane following this final home match of the season. ? His bare assets were there for all to see - and in Bury FC's present parlous financial position, the streaker's performance was a rather apt way to round off the campaign at Gigg Lane.? Player-manager Andy Preece was the hero with a late, late goal that rescued a point and saved the Shakers from the last thing they wanted - defeat in their final home game of the season.? Preece struck with an audacious lob from fully 30 yards out after spotting Reading keeper Phil Whitehead way out of his goal.? It equalised Darren Caskey's 42nd minute strike - a smart close-range finish from Nicky Forster's knock-down.? The goal gave Preece twelve for the season and made him the club's top scorer. And the 33-year-old striker said afterwards: "It looked like the ball was never going to go in the net for us.? "It was one of those days. I saw the keeper off his line, so I just gave the ball a casual, little flick. I was delighted with it.? "It was one of those instinctive things you do that either come off or they don't. I was delighted it got us a point.? "There wasn't a lot of quality in the game and our pitch doesn't help. There was? entertainment, but without the quality.? "I thought we could have come out on top and won the game.? "There is still lots to play for. For instance, I am looking ahead to next season already and what combinations I will be able to use out on the field with the players available tome.? "From that point of view, the players have plenty to play for too."? Preece has become a big favourite with the Gigg Lane fans - and that showed when they stayed to applaud him and the team as they did a lap of honour around the ground.? But the former Stockport, Crystal Palace and Blackpool striker said: "Twelve months ago, if I had been leading the team out, I might have got a slightly different reaction from the fans, so I was delighted to get that reception at the end from them.? "It's great being able to go out and walk tall in front of the supporters. It is something we can take into next season."? On his future as manager, Preece added: "I have started talks with the chairman and, hopefully, over the next week or so, we can get it all sorted out. "This draw kept our unbeaten run going and, to finish the way we have, with all the injuries and departures, is a good achievement.? "I am pretty sure I will be here as manager next season, but now I have got as many goals as lan Lawson got for us before he went to Stockport, so the chairman knows I am not thinking about hanging my boots up as a player yet either!? "A few years ago I was scoring goals like that one today all the time at Stockport. I have had to change my game a bit because I am more of the target man now, whereas at County I was playing off the big fella, Kevin Francis."? A few more goals from Preecey would go down a treat as Bury look to finish off in style in the tough trips to Stoke tomorrow night and in Saturday's final game at Notts County.

Big Man's Royal's Site - An Official Reading Web Site:
Well, this was on of those meaningless end-of-season fixtures that really did end up like that.? Showing impeccable timing, Bury opened a new stand just before their last home game of the season. What they really need is a new pitch - the Gigg Lane surface, once one of the best in the land, now looks like a rutted country lane. And I hope that the Reading officials noticed it, because that is the price you pay for taking in homeless egg-chasers.? Watching the Reading players warm up (with the training session again led by Peter Grant), we noticed several youngsters. One had bleached hair - eventually we worked out that it was a new-look Darius Henderson, who again started the match. Nathan Tyson and Ricky Allaway were on the bench. Whitehead came in for Howie, and Hunter, Newman and Igoe returned to the starting line-up.? Early on, it looked as if all those changes had badly affected our game, as we struggled to make any impression, whilst Bury came close on a couple of occasions. The main fact about the first half, though, was that it was absolutely dire. Some of the most boring football on offer since the turn of the year. There was really only one moment of note and that was our well-worked goal just before half-time.? We had used the Neil Smith long throw tactic a lot of the time, so when he took a quick short one and passed to Matthew Robinson it took the defence by surprise. Robinson took the ball down the wing, put over a superb cross straight to Nicky Forster who headed the ball into the path of Darren Caskey. Caskey hit the ball just to the keeper's right, but the keeper dived to his left (!) and so it went in. It was quite similar to the second goal against Gillingham but not so spectacular.? We had far more of the game in the second half. Forster went on several direct runs. On one occasion he beat two men and was fouled in the area by the third but the referee gave a Bury throw. (He made up for that later when ignoring some shirt-pulling in the area at the other end.) ? Sammy Igoe and Neil Smith had chances to stretch the lead - Igoe managed only a very weak header when totally unmarked at the far post, and Smith blazed over with the goal seemingly at his mercy.? Primus replaced Hunter who had just gone down with an injury (although Primus was ready to come on anyway) and Nathan Tyson made his debut, replacing Henderson. This was definitely Henderson's best game for us - he held the ball up well most of the time and made some good short passes. Tyson didn't really get into the game but showed pace and one good touch in his few minutes.? Bury came into the game more and hit the post with a shot from a tight angle. Just when it looked as if we would hold out for the three points, the Bury caretaker-player-manager tried a hopeful punt from 35 yards out and caught Whitehead off his line. Although he scrambled back, the ball dropped just under the bar and into the net. Whitehead had had little to do all game, and you have to say that Howie would probably have had the agility to get back and stop this one.? The game ended in a draw which means that there is only one team who failed to get any points from us this season. Step forward, Ian Holloway and Bristol Rovers, and take a bow.

The Star:
ROOKIE boss Andy Preece saved the day for Bury - and then got a huge vote of confidence from his bosses. The veteran striker's 89th minute leveller cancelled out Darren Caskey's opener. . Preece has built a young-side at Gigg Lane and chairman Terry Robinson paid tribute to his manager. He said: "The youth policy is bold but it was brought on by injuries and finances." "But I am very pleased with the way Andy has been getting on with the job at the club."

The Daily Mirror:
BURY player-manager Andy Preece grabbed a late leveller in a dull end-of-season encounter. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities on a rutted playing surface, but Reading broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval. Matthew Robinson sent in a left-wing cross that was met by Nicky Forster and his header fell into the path of former Spurs player Darren Caskey Caskey made no mistake as he rifled home his 22nd goal of the season and that looked to be enough for Reading. But the introduction of Preece changed the game and he earned his side a point with a super long-range lob.

Manchester Evening News:
THE view from the new Cemetery End at Gigg Lane is already a little more scenic. ? There was a Hill and a Forrest to admire, and player-manager Andy Preece provided a beauty spot of his own with a marvellous last-minute equaliser.? The only thing spoiling the panorama is the eyesore of a pitch, which is seriously inhibiting the Shakers' attempts to improve themselves.? Young lads like Martyn Forrest and Nicky Hill gave a glimpse of a brighter future, even in a game which was the usual end of season, nothing to play for fare. Forrest, handed the captain's armband for the day, was the best player on view in the first half, when his control, skill and vision tamed even the dire swamp on which Bury are expected to play these days.? And Hill, making his first start in front of his own fans, looked assured and solid at left back. With other kids queuing up for first-team action, things are looking a little rosier at the end of a traumatic season.? Said Preece: "Nicky slotted in well. He has things to work on but he is getting good experience with two full 90 minutes under his belt, and probably a couple more this season.? "Fozzy can get the ball down and pass it, has great control and gets up and down the pitch. But there is more to come. The ball was hobbling around, but he got his foot on it, turned people and made room for himself.? "It was right to give him the captaincy for the day. He's a Bury lad, and he was a Bury fan. Any of those players would wear that armband with pride, but none more than Fozzy." ? Unfortunately, there is little prospect of the pitch improving with Swinton Lions' season going on into July.? That would leave a few weeks for long-suffering groundsman Michael Curtis to repair the devastation and no-one could work that miracle. ? Said Preece: "It's difficult, but if the revenue coming in from Swinton and from United's reserves games is keeping the club going, what can you do? ?? "Do you have a nice pitch and no team to play on it, or a horrible pitch and a team? We may have to change our style to suit it sometimes."? Preece led his side around the ground at the end of the game to rapturous applause. Fans have had their grumbles since he took over, but they realised that the mission to stave off relegation, had been accomplished.? The fans' response will not have escaped chairman Terry Robinson's notice as he continues talks with Preece about his future this week. ? And Preece's 30-yard goal, which cancelled out Darren Caskey's first half strike, will also have increased his stock.

Bolton Evening News:
A WIN would have been nice, but Bury player-manager Andy Preece was quite satisfied with the way he and the Shakers ended performances at Gigg Lane this season. ? Preece covets the gaffer's job on a permanent basis. At the moment it is his indefinitely, due to the Shakers* financial situation.? But 72nd minute substitute Preece did his cause no harm at all with an audacious, last-minute lob from fully 30- yards out that rescued a point for Bury.? It prevented what the Shakers, in their present, pitiful situation, needed least of all - a defeat in their last home game of the campaign, Not what's required when you are trying to persuade what fans you have got to come back again next time.? Still, the goal also took Preece to the top of the Shakers' goalscoring pile and he said later: "I saw their keeper was off his line, so I just gave the ball a casual little flick. I'm delighted with it. It was one of those instinctive things that you do and it came off. I'm delighted it got us a point." ? Reading had looked set to hold on to all three points after skipper Darren Caskey gave them a 42nd minute lead.? The former Tottenham mid-fielder supplied a smart close-range finish to Nicky Forster's knock-down to register his 22nd goal of the season. ? Reading boss Alan Pardew also had his say, or rather, didn't. He had words with Paul Bames after the Bury striker launched a blatant, off-the-ball attack on Neil Smith that neither referee Trevor Parkes or his assistants saw.? Pardew was more guarded in his after-match comments about Barnes, saying only: "That's private and I don't want to comment on it." Nuff said.? So it's into the last two games of the season, away at Stoke and Notts County, and more talks with chairman Terry Robinson for Preece. ? "We have started talks and, hopefully, we will get everything sorted out in the next week or so," said the Bury boss.? "I'm pretty sure I'll be here next season - and now I am leading goalscorer, with the same total lan Lawson had before he went to Stockport. The chairman knows I am not intending to hang my boots up just yet," added the 33-year-old striker.

Supporters Match Report
Send me your version of the game and I will put it on these pages

Exiled in Geordieland (Lifted from the Message Board):
Came down today with young exile dressed as a skeleton and BiG dressed as Count Dracula. As far as I know, they were the only people in the Cemy End in fancy dress despite the encouragement from the board and the press.? Pity, for the Cemy End was pretty near full with seats being taken around the corner as well. Our Children's entertainer was in full voice and rattle handing out balloons. He looked up from his tasks to see BiG bearing down on him in full costume with white face, black lips, sweeping cloak and blood dripping down his lips.

Without batting an eyelid, he said, "Hello Mr Warnock, I didn't know you were coming today". Excellent.

We were accompanied by Chris Grabham, Drummer of the band "Blue Hands" who wore his Sunderland Top with pride as he wielded the tambourine into the first rendition of "Disco Pants".

The moaners who wanted youth and the ballplayers were rewarded with a team including Forrest, Bhuttia and Nicky Hill. Halford and Avdiu were on the bench and both got on in the second half.

Reading were a pretty ordinary team but, just to show us up, they included the 12 year old Sammy Igoe in the team. I kid you not, that is how old this child looked and far too frail to be playing football. However, I noticed that, embarrasingly, when we had a corner - he was put on marking duties with Butthia - and looked bigger than our Bengal Tiger. This brings home what a difficulty he (Baichung) will have in this league playing the position he does. Bury have had a number of smaller players before - I remember Bobby Collins as well as Brian Flynn but both played in midfield and both were fiery individuals seemingly wanting to prove their physical prowess.

Sadly, neither attribute applies to Bhuttia. He may well be a very talented ballplayer but playing as a striker in Div 2 he is just going to meet defenders who will lean on him; push him; kick him; run two footed at him and just generally muscle him off the ball.

I would see him being successful where he was put through running with the ball at speed or playing off the big forward looking for knock downs.

Unfortunately, our midfield were wanting to put first time balls out wide which left him hunting in the middle of a pack of big boned defenders for aerial balls. This did not work all day.

I would make one point about Baichung. He probably gets a lot more fouls than are whistled up for and the reason is that he falls "away" from the defender rather than close up - which always looks more culpable for the defender. He often finishes this fall with a forward or backward roll. This also gives the impression that he hasn't the bottle to get mixed up close in with defenders. If Preece is to do any one on one coaching with Bhutthia - he should teach him how to be more cute in those situations and get more free kicks which in turn will lead to less of the kind of fouling which is hampering his game.

Incidentally - it is my personal opinion that he is not afraid in those situations - he chases down energetically and runs hard with the ball into areas of danger. Perhaps we should bring in a specialist coach - like Francis Lee - to teach him how to fall over to better effect?

In addition, Paul Barnes had one of those "Bullock" days where he was more intent on proving his hardness and whinging to the ref than trying to win the ball and set up his mate. He was very lucky not to be booked or even sent off for a nasty skirmish in the second half when, following a bit of feet entanglement under their posts - he ran twenty yards after the culprit and raked his foot down the back of the lads leg and achilles - nasty and potentially dangerous.

The effect of this was that there was no effect and very little threat materialised. This was made even more pointed when Preece brought himself on in a straight swap. Instantly the game moved up a gear and we looked far more threatening. Bhutthia' contrary to common rumour, looked just as full of running in the last twenty minutes as he did in the first and thrived a lot more from the Preecey improved service hitting the side netting on two occasions.

Hill looked a bit tentative at full back and let a few runs from them get through alarmingly. The firm of solicitors operating at the heart of our defence - "Swailes and Swailes" generally looked good together but I am afraid were completely absent when a good ball delivered from their left found their centre forward on the back post who guided a simple knock down into the path of Darren Caskey who, unmarked, knocked the ball past a helpless Tyrone from close range. A simple goal yet again conceded close to half time and quietening an already subdued Cemy End.

A letter has gone off to the Law Society with a claim of negligent practice.

Second half carried on pretty much the same with not a great deal between the teams; a bumpy pitch further cut up by the kids footy competition at half time won on a penalty shoot out by Greenmount over Stubbins.

The referee, Trevor Parkes, was a mite inconsistent in his decisions with Reading suffering the most. We got two nifty corners from balls clearly knocked over by our players and a couple of offsides against them looked dodgy as well. Where were we going to get anywhere?

Well, the subs came on, the sun came out and Kemo and Preecey started to make things happen. A ball from Preece played over found Kemo chasing out wide and seemingly past a chance but he turned from a very tight angle and smacked the post. Were we going to score again at full time - yes we were.

A very curious passage of play with Bury attacking the Cemy End and the ball bobbling around the right wing where it came to Preece on the edge of the box. There was a hesitation because there was a handball by a Bury player in bit of play leading up to the goal. Almost in slow motion, players half stopped, their goalie took two steps forward and one back and precisely at that time - Preece carefull lobbed him in a perfect arc into the back of the net. Well, that's how I saw it anyway and it was a class strike from a Manager who has got better and more effective as a player as the season has gone on.

It was nearly as half as good as Jimmy Kerr's lob into the Torquay net in 1968 - his was over the heads of nearly every player on the pitch - not just the goalkeeper - but Preece's was excellent and prevented what should have been a celebration being washed out with disappointment.

In fact the crowd's good humour was reward by Andy and the Players coming out and doing a lap of the pitch givng their thanks to the crowd for their stalwart support during a difficult season at Gigg Lane.

All in all, a disapponting end to a disappointing season at home at what was "Fortress Gigg" and has become a happy hunting ground for poor teams coming for points. Wrexham, Cambridge, Oxford, Chesterfield and now Reading have taken eleven points away which - had we picked them up would have at least left us on the fringe of the playoff picture.

Final thought. What must Terry Robinson be thinking to see the Cemy End open to complete the major rebuilding of the club started some years ago when, with Hugh Eaves support, we were aiming to consolidate in the First Division. With HE gone AWOL, the ground is complete but the team up for sale.

Let's hope for a couple of more good results at Notts County and Stoke to finish the season with some optimism for next year.

Ben Walker (Lifted from "The Shakers" Web Site):
Andy Preece brought Bury back from the dead in front of the new Cemetery End in spectacular fashion, after Gigg Lane's season had threatened to conclude with a whimper. Preece pounced with only seconds remaining, swivelling onto Patrick Kenny's mammoth punt upfield which Kemajl Avdiu had redirected before stabbing an amazing lob over Reading 'keeper Phil Whitehead. A delighted Preece and his players acknowledeged the loyal Bury supporters afterwards, and it would seem he will be offered a renewed contract by Chairman Terry Robinson in the close season in the hope that the solid run of results towards the end of this season will continue into next term.

Bury had fought hard prior to the equaliser, as Avdiu and Barnes went close in a second half dominated by the home team. Barnes rounded Whitehead on 58 minutes and looked certain to score, only for Whitehead to force the veteran, who appeared laboured all afternoon, away from goal so that his shot slammed harmlessly into the side-netting. After Preece's arrival a refreshed Bury's best opportunities fell to Kemajl Avdiu, and the attacking midfielder will experience an anxious summer break as, with his future at the club hanging in the balance following the end of his current contract, he failed to grab the attention of his manager by converting two glorious openings in a short space of time. Avdiu found space on the left hand side well on both occasions, but after firstly stroking a lame shot into Phil Whitehead's arms, Avdiu beat the the 'keeper with a low effort only for the shot to rocket off the upright and away to safety.

With Reading's formidable defence for the most part holding firm, the lively Royals' attackers could have sealed the points on the hour mark, but Neil Smith lifted his shot over the bar from twelve yards out. It was Nicky Forster however who posed the greatest threat, and his cushioned pass was volleyed home emphatically by Darren Caskey four minutes before the break. However, even if Caskey's thunderous opener is recorded by the history books as the first goal in front of the completed Cemetery End, Preece's awesome twelfth of the season was a much more memorable strike, a rare highlight in a dull, tiresome game.

For all the goals and match photo's, visit Paul Stevens site here