BURY suffered frustration against their North West Hockey League Division Five rivals who pegged the Castlebrook High School hosts back three times after they took the lead.

James Oakes’s powerful ninth-minute finish put Bury ahead before Hill equalised nine minutes later after the hosts had failed to clear their lines.

Both teams had chances to go in front before the interval, with youngster Will Sarbutts in the Bury goal producing two excellent saves to keep the scores level. The second half saw Luke Fidler produce a stunning piece of play in the 52nd minute, beat six players before finishing in the bottom corner.

However, Cheetham Hill instantly hit back from the restart as an aerial ball beat the home defence to give Cheetham an easy leveller.

Four minutes later, James Oakes had restored the lead for Bury, deftly deflecting in Simon Major’s pass.

But, once again, Bury could not hold on for the three points as, seven minutes from time, a flicked short corner took an unfortunate deflection off captain Tariq Sheikh and the ball sneaked past the unlucky Sarbutts.

There was better luck for Bury 2s, who came from behind to beat home side Timperley 2-1 in Division Eight North to cement their status as league leaders with goals from Andy Robertson and Jon Ireson.