BURY were held to a hard-fought goalless draw against fellow League One strugglers MK Dons at Gigg Lane.

In front of the lowest home league attendance of season of 2,005 – with 113 of those visiting – the Shakers managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in 10 months.

The game was tight throughout as both sides struggled to control the midfield.

Stuart O’Keefe had the best chance for the visitors but he blasted over when the goal was gaping late on.

However, the Shakers were dealt a huge blow as star striker James Vaughan withdrew through injury.

Chris Brass made one change from the side which beat Swindon 1-0 on Saturday as he kept faith with a 5-3-2 formation.

Midfielder Andrew Tutte came in for his first start since November in place of the injured Reece Brown, who is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder jarred his knee against the Robins and could be ruled out for up to three weeks.

Young defender Tom Beadling, who signed on loan from Sunderland on deadline day, was named on the bench for the first time.

The Shakers pressed well in the opening 10 minutes but they nearly gifted the visitors an early goal when Tutte’s backpass to goalkeeper Joe Murphy was almost intercepted by Dean Bowditch – the keeper sparing Tutte’s blushes on this occasion.

As MK Dons grew into the game Chuks Aneke found space on the edge of the area but he curled the first shot of the game high and wide.

Jacob Mellis began to turn the screw as his shot was deflected behind for a corner and the midfielder’s subsequent set-piece was narrowly headed over by Cameron Burgess. Two minutes before the break Harvey Barnes forced Joe Murphy into his first save – diving low to his left before gathering at the second attempt.

Bury were forced into an unwanted change at the break as in-form striker Vaughan had to withdraw through injury so George Miller entered the frame.

And the 19-year-old almost made an instant impact when his blistering pace beat the offside trap but David Martin made a fine stop with his legs to keep the scores level.

Tom Pope came close moments later when he headed Greg Leigh’s cross narrowly over the bar.

But Murphy was on hand for the Shakers to deny Aneke and Ben Tilney, either side of O’Keefe’s woeful miss when he had the goal gaping.

Brass introduced Jermaine Pennant and Ryan Lowe from the bench and the latter almost scored with his second touch but Martin made a smart stop down to his left.

Player ratings

BURY 5-3-2

JOE MURPHY 8

TAYLOR MOORE 6

LEON BARNETT 7

ANTONY KAY 7

CAMERON BURGESS 8

GREG LEIGH 7

ANDREW TUTTE 7

SCOTT BURGESS 6

JACOB MELLIS 6

TOM POPE 6

JAMES VAUGHAN 6

Subs: George Miller 6 (for James Vaughan 45), Jermaine Pennant 6 (for Scott Burgess 70), Ryan Lowe 6 (for Tom Pope 80).

Not used: Lainton, Deslandes, Beadling, Hope.

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Baldock, Downing, Williams, Tilney; Upson, O’Keefe; Agard, Aneke, Barnes; Bowditch.

Subs: Maecky Ngombo (for Agard 74), Powell (for Aneke 83),

Not used: Nicholls, Muirhead, Rasulo, Brittain, Thomas.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).