A LATE equaliser from Steven Schumacher rescued a point for Bury at home to fellow strugglers Shrewsbury.

The Shakers captain headed home Gregg Wylde’s 90th-minute corner to deny Graham Turner’s side their first away win of the season.

It followed goals from Shrews midfielders Aaron Wildig and Jon Taylor, either side of a Matt Doherty strike.

The match started at a blistering pace, with two goals inside the opening 10 minutes.

Marvin Morgan, who was a thorn in Bury’s side throughout the match, capitalised on an Efe Sodje slip in the first minute to storm into the box.

A combination of Mark Hughes and Joe Skarz got back to cover, but the ball broke to the feet of centre-midfielder Wildig, who finished from close range. There was a real festive feel to the game, with both defences seemingly eager to gift wrap chances.

So it was no surprise when Bury quickly popped up with an equaliser.

It came in the 10th minute, when Matt Doherty's run into the right-hand channel was well found by a smart reverse pass from David Worrall and the full-back made no mistake, firing his drive under the body of Shrews keeper Chris Weale.

The goal gave Kevin Blackwell’s side a real boost and they went close to taking the lead through a Joe Skarz header before Weale did well to parry a fierce long-range strike from the lively Wylde.

The visitors came back into the match late in the half, however, and Morgan went close with two chances, both shut out by last-ditch tackles from Skarz.

Bury started the second half the brightest, with Wylde’s angled drive turned on to his own post by Shrews centre-back Darren Jones on 49 minutes.

A defeat would have been a hammer-blow to either side and the game suddenly became more cagey before Shrewsbury went back into the lead on 68 minutes following a bolt from the blue from winger Jon Taylor. Skarz backed off just long enough for the diminutive midfielder to fire off a 25-yard curler from the right that beat Carson at his near post.

With Bury wobbling, Carson redeemed himself a minute later with an important block to deny Morgan as the rangey striker broke free for a one-on-one.

It looked like it was going to be another one of those nights when substitute Troy Hewitt had a late header tipped behind by Weale, but Schumacher stepped up to head home Wylde’s corner to earn a vital point.

The Shakers now go into Christmas with renewed hope, although they remain third from bottom of League One, three points from safety.