BURY took a step in the right direction with their latest performance against Bradford in the FA Cup.

Following three straight defeats in the league, the Shakers were able to welcome back a host of players from injury which, along with the return of veteran forward Ryan Lowe and the loan signing of Manchester City's Ian Lawlor, allowed manager David Flitcroft the chance to shake up the squad in a bid to eradicate what he described as a "losing mentality".

His side looked more organised and had the energy and commitment to combat not only a battling Bradford side but a ground that held more away than home supporters.

The atmosphere in Gigg Lane was surreal, with the stands behind both goals housing the travelling Yorkshire fans, who drowned out the noise of the home support.

However, it was soured by a mass brawl, seemingly between the travelling support, which forced the police to wade in and took a couple of minutes to settle down, resulting in a number of people being evicted.

Although a goalless stalemate, the game itself provided plenty of entertainment for the 6,962 fans in the ground – the largest gate of the season.

Many chances went begging for both sides, but none were more embarrassing than James Hanson spooning over from six yards out at the death, perhaps it was the heavy turf taking its effect a steady downpour of rain throughout the match.

After putting faith in his youth-team graduates the previous weekend in Bury's 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood Town, Flitcroft reverted back to his tried and tested experienced players.

The Bury boss continued to mix up his tactics, employing a 4-5-1 formation to bolster his midfield, which was not good news for the three strikers – Lowe, Danny Rose and Tom Pope – on the bench.

There were four players missing from the line-up that started at Fleetwood. Key defender Peter Clarke, who picked up a knock in that game, did not make the squad, while Anthony Dudley joined National League side Guiseley on loan last week.

Young midfielder Scott Burgess and goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who has now returned to his parent club Stoke City, both dropped to the bench.

Lawlor was thrust straight into the starting XI to make his debut and full-back Joe Riley and midfielders Tom Soares and Kelvin Etuhu all returned from their respective injuries.

Fans-favourite Lowe was back among the substitutes after returning from a loan spell at Crewe Alexandra.

The Bantams attempted to unsettle the hosts early on by pumping balls up to Hanson, but Bury read the danger and got back in their numbers to clear a couple of half-chances.

Reece Brown, who appeared a lot more comfortable and confident in his natural position of centre-back after being deployed as a defensive-midfielder and right-back in previous weeks, dealt well with the aerial threat of Hanson.

Bury had the first real chance of the game as Andrew Tutte linked up with Leon Clarke down the right before cutting inside and scooping a shot over the crossbar.

However, silence fell upon Gigg Lane in the 15th minute when Craig Jones took a blow to his head in an aerial challenge and looked to be unconscious before he hit the floor.

Both medical teams rushed on to the pitch to tend to the 28-year-old midfielder and after six minutes of treatment he was carried off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital.

However, Flitcroft has since confirmed the injury is not as bad as first feared and the midfielder is "really stable", while the player himself tweeted on Saturday evening: "Thanks for all the kind messages, not quite sure what happened apart from the fact I got knocked out."

Lowe was brought on as his replacement to a rousing reception, with the veteran striker taking up an unfamiliar position on the right of midfield.

City came close to taking the lead in the 33rd minute when Tony McMahon curled a brilliant 25-yard free-kick against the post.

But Bury controlled the end of the first period and missed two glorious chances to take a lead into the break.

First Andrew Tutte had a one-on-one with Ben Williams saved after being played through by Danny Mayor, before Leon Clarke headed Chris Hussey's deep cross wide from six-yards out when unmarked and with the goal gaping, although a late offside flag spared the forward's blushes.

Shakers supporters showed their support for Leon Clarke on 50 minutes, leading a minute's applause as a tribute to the striker's father, who died the previous weekend, aged 50.

The hosts were dealt a bitter blow in the 64th minute when Riley, who was unable to play the previous weekend due to a leg injury, limped off.

With his normal replacement, Jones, undergoing tests in hospital, Brown was forced to move to right-back as cover and substitute midfielder Danny Pugh filled in in the centre of the defence.

The visitors smelt blood and the unsettled Bury back line had to withstand heavy pressure towards the end of the game.

Bradford missed three golden chances to book their place into the next round.

Gary Liddle had his head in his hands after heading Kyel Reid's dinked cross wide from six yards with the goal gaping before Rory McArdle powered a header wide from a corner.

Finally, on the stroke of full time, Hanson missed the pick of the bunch by lifting a shot over the bar from six yards with the goalkeeper already beaten.

Bury must now travel to the Coral Windows Stadium, where they lost 2-1 in League One earlier in the season, for the replay on Tuesday, January 19, kick off 7.45pm.

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Match ratings

BURY (4-5-1): Lawlor 6; Riley 6 (Pugh 64, 5), Cameron 8, Brown 7, Hussey 6; Jones 6 (Lowe 21, 6, Rose 79, 6), Etuhu 9, Soares 8, Tutte 6, Mayor 7; L Clarke 6.

Not used: Bachmann, Mellis, Pope, Burgess.

BRADFORD CITY (4-4-2): Williams; Darby, McArdle, Routis, Meredith; McMahon, Liddle, Evans (Marshall 87), Reid (Morris 83); B Clarke (James 67), Hanson.

Not used: Cracknell, Knott, Leigh, Cole

Yellow cards: Bury – Lowe (69). Bradford – Hanson (13).

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Attendance: 6,962 (3,489 visiting).

STAR MAN: Kelvin Etuhu – The former Barnsley player gave Bury a welcome boost by returning from injury and showed great energy to break up a stream of menacing-looking attacks, dropping the deeper of the three central midfielders to provide excellent cover for the back four. The 27-year-old's tireless work-rate was crucial in keeping the clean sheet.