BURY recorded their fourth clean sheet in five games as they were held to a goalless stalemate at home to Crewe.

Leon Clarke missed a host of opportunities as the Shakers completely dominated proceedings in what was their fourth game in 11 days.

The 30-year-old forward's two best chances came when he lifted an effort over the crossbar from two yards out in the first half before crashing a shot against the post in the second.

David Flitcroft made one change from the victory over neighbours Oldham on Saturday. John O'Sullivan came in for his first start since joining from Blackburn Rovers, in place of the fatigued Danny Mayor.

Skipper Nathan Cameron had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench following his return from suspension, and Joe Riley was once again absent from the squad following an inquiry from another club for the right-back's services.

The Shakers continued their recent impressive form and shot out of the blocks, almost taking the lead inside 94 seconds through Leon Clarke. Bury's top goalscorer was slid through on goal by Chris Hussey but Ben Garratt produced a stunning one-handed save down to his left to tip it around the post.

Andrew Tutte went close with an effort from the edge of the box moments later, before Tom Soares was denied by another fine Garratt save. Hussey's corner dropped to Soares six yards out, and the make-shift right-back shot on the turn but it was touched around the post by the goalkeeper.

The host's continued to do all the pressing and completely dominated the first period. Hussey sent a curling 20-yard free-kick over the crossbar on the half-hour mark, which was swiftly followed by Kelvin Etuhu's volley from a yard inside the box but he hit the top of the stand.

And two minutes later Hussey served the ball on a plate to Leon Clarke who looked a dead cert to tap in the opener but he somehow lifted the ball over the crossbar with the goalkeeper caught in no man's land.

Tom Pope came within a whisker of heading the hosts ahead when he connected with O'Sullivan's cross five minutes before half-time.

Crewe were being played off the park but could have headed into the break in the lead. Ryan Colclough picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove into the penalty but he dragged his shot wide across goal.

Leon Clarke had the ball in the net during first-half injury time but it was ruled out for offside after converting Pope's cross.

The second half continued as the first ended, Bury controlling possession and creating chances galore.

Leon Clarke again was in the thick of the action six minutes after the restart after being picked out by Pope, but his powerful shot cannoned straight back off the post.

The 30-year-old found himself on the end of a deep Hussey cross midway through the half but he headed that opportunity over the bar. Soon after, the forward picked up the ball from Mayor before turning and arrowing an effort straight down the throat of Garratt.

Crewe had a chance to steal all three points on the stroke of full-time as Marcus Haber raced through on goal and slotted the ball underneath the out-rushing Ian Lawlor but the superb Reece Brown got back in the nick of time to make the goal-line clearance.