ANDY Welsh was delighted with table-topping Bury AFC’s against-the-odds 1-1 draw with Golcar United in what was their last game for at least a month.

AFC finished the game with nine players after Liam MacDevitt and keeper Ed Wilczynski were sent off while centre back Jimmy Moore ended in goal as they salvaged something out of the game thanks to Kris Holt’s last-gasp equaliser.

“Everything was against us but yet again these players showed what they are made of,” said Welsh. “They kept going right until the end and proved that Bury AFC will never give up.

“They got what they deserved in the end.

“I am so pleased and proud of them because there was no way we should have lost that game and the way things were transpiring, it looked like it would go that way.”

Welsh said the officiating was not good enough after a series of incidents went against them.

“I’m not asking for favours just parity,” added the manager with the season now suspended due to the national lockdown. “We had two blatant penalties turned down, their striker admitted handling the ball in the lead up for their goal and the two sending-offs were farcical.

“Never in a million years should we have been down to nine men.

“Liam has every right to go for the ball because it was there to be won. He’s not gone high, the ball is loose, no-one has got it. He has every right to throw himself at the ball.

“Perhaps give him a yellow card but never a straight red.

“Ed’s one as well, he has come out of goal to challenge for the ball. The lad has kicked the ball away from goal and we has someone covering. It was a hasty decision by the ref that he couldn’t change. It was very disappointing.”

AFC dominated the first half but could not find a way past the Golcar keeper before the visitors took the lead through Michael Fish with 20 minutes remaining.

It looked as if they would leave with all three points before Holt’s equaliser five minutes in to stoppage time.

“They showed character, desire and passion and, once again that never-say-die attitude,” added Welsh.