TOM SOARES scored an injury-time equaliser as Bury drew with Walsall in a six-goal thriller at Gigg Lane.

The Shakers took a commanding two-goal lead into half time thanks to James Vaughan’s 17th goal of the season and Reece Brown’s first career strike.

But a second-half collapse saw the Saddlers flip the game on its head with goals from Erhun Oztumer and a brace from Jason McCarthy.

However, as the board went up for four minutes of added time long-serving midfielder Soares arrived to convert Brown’s cross to steal a share of the points.

Chris Brass made one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Port Vale in the previous match.

Right-back Taylor Moore returned from injury meaning Scott Burgess dropped to the bench.

New signing Jermaine Pennant was named on the substitutes bench for the first time after he received international clearance this week, as was Ryan Lowe, who returned to the club for a third spell after signing on a free transfer from Crewe.

The first half belonged entirely to the Shakers who dominated from the first minute and could have taken an early lead had Tom Pope’s effort not been cleared off the line by Joe Edwards.

Unfortunate in not opening the scoring, the towering forward did turn provider on the 22nd minute when his cross was converted by Vaughan to put Bury ahead.

And the lead could have been doubled eight minutes later but for Neil Etheridge’s fine double-save to keep Pope at bay once again.

Rob Lainton was called into action for the first time five minutes before the break, making a flying save to deny Amadou Bakayoko.

Brown added well-deserved breathing space on the stroke of half time as he curled a 35-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Walsall could have halved the defecit when Matt Preston pounced in the Bury box after the break but Vaughan was in the right place to make a goalline clearance, before Lainton saved at the feet of Isaiah Osbourne.

Etheridge had to be at his best to keep out Hallam Hope in the 65th minute and Walsall capitalised on the let-off, forcing their way back into the game through Otzumer.

His 71st-minute goal kicked off a run of three in eight minutes for the Saddlers.

They drew level in the 76th minute when wing-back McCarthy got on the end of Bakayoko’s cross and beat Lainton at his near post.

Three minutes later McCarthy put Walsall in front when he was left unmarked to head home from 12 yards out.

Brass, in a desperate bid to salvage a point, made a double change, handing Pennant and Lowe their debuts from the bench.

And the Shakers levelled in the first minute of stoppage time as Soares got the deftest of touches on Brown’s pin-point cross to ensure Bury remain unbeaten in three games.

They remain, however, in the League One relegation zone, fourth bottom and two points from safety.