IT is a measure of how far Bury have come in a short space of time under Lee Clark that the manager admitted he was left “a little disappointed” after they earned a point at home to promotion-chasing Fleetwood on Saturday.

The Shakers kept their fourth clean sheet on the bounce while holding third-placed Town to a goalless stalemate, but while the point kept Bury four-points above the League One drop zone Clark felt it was an opportunity missed to move further away from danger.

Both sides adopted a 5-3-2 formation and cancelled each other out for the majority of the game.

Cod Army midfielder Kyle Dempsey struck the post in first-half stoppage time and Bury full-back Greg Leigh forced Alex Cairns into a fine save at the death, but that was the best it got for both sides.

“I am a little bit disappointed,” Clark said after the battling draw, which maintained Bury's place in 17th with six games remaining. “Don’t take away from the fact we have gone toe-to-toe with a good Fleetwood team who can get automatic promotion.

“We have more than held our own against them and probably finished the better team.

“We felt our passing, especially in the first half, wasn’t where we wanted it. It wasn’t at our tempo, that’s to do with two teams playing a similar system and cancelling each other out.

“My dressing room (after the match) is really quiet so I’m really happy about that because they have obviously got high standards themselves.”

In his eight games in charge, Clark’s side have kept five clean sheets.

While Bury are looking solid at the back, the Geordie has installed a feel-good factor around the squad which is now brimming with confidence.

“If you be successful in the division we’re in then you have got to be a solid unit,” Clark added.

“We have got strikers and attackers who can produce a piece of magic out of nothing.

“But if you cannot win the game don’t lose it. Four clean sheets on the bounce and we’ve got momentum as a defensive unit.”

Star striker James Vaughan was withdrawn as a precaution midway through the second half because of a tight hamstring, but Clark explained after the game that it was nothing too serious.

“James was a precaution,” Clark explained. “He was complaining of his hamstring cramping up so there was no way I was going to take a risk and pushing him.”

Meanwhile, Bury were without Fulham loanee Cameron Burgess after the defender was called up to the Australian Under-23s squad.

Clark said: “He (Cameron Burgess) was on international duty. We are delighted for the boy but gutted for us. We have been hit a little bit because he has been playing really well but we are delighted for the lad.”

Match ratings

Bury (5-3-2): Murphy 6; Moore 6 (Pennant 52, 6), Barnett 7, Kay 7, Bryan 7, Leigh 8; Caddis 7, Styles 7, Mellis 7; Pope 6 (Hope 72, 6), Vaughan 6 (G Miller 61, 6).

Subs not used: Lainton, Beadling, S Burgess, Lowe.

Fleetwood (5-3-2): Cairns; Ekpolo, Davies (Davis 21), Bolger, Eastham, Bell; Dempsey, Schwabi (Glendon 74), Brannagan (Hunter 64); Ball, Grant.

Subs not used: Urwin, Pond, Nirennold, Woolford.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Bristol)

Attendance: 4,174 (572 visiting).