DAVID Worrall's second half strike earned Bury a point on Saturday – but manager Alan Knill was left frustrated his team did not take all three.

Stephen Guinan's disputed first half penalty put the Cobblers into the driving seat but the Shakers wrested back the initiative in the second period and, had they been awarded a stonewall penalty of their own, they would be celebrating their first victory of the new season at Gigg Lane.

Instead Knill was left lamenting his side's slow start to the contest and an indifferent display by the referee.

“It is two points dropped,” admitted Knill. “But after coming from a goal behind we have to take it.

“I was pleased with our performance in the second half, but not the first. It was the first time this season I have had to raise my voice at half-time.

“We didn't play with any tempo or urgency. We were too pretty - passing it sideways with nothing at the end of it.

“But we changed after the break and we were more aggressive, won more tackles and headers and as a result were by far the better team.

“I think theirs was a dubious penalty, and then he didn't give us one in the second half when their lad hand-balled it.

“If he was two yards away, then fair enough, but not five yards away. That is a penalty, no doubts about it.

“I don't think too many decisions went our way but you have to get on with it and hope it evens itself out over a season.”

Bury failed to start with the same desire that earned them a victory at Oxford United last weekend, but they still did enough to carve open the Northampton defence – strikers Andy Bishop and Ryan Lowe firing in shots on goal.

But the visitors were a threat themselves and should have gone into the lead in the 22nd minute when Ryan Gilligan slipped in Guinan only for the alert Cameron Belford to make a fine save at the striker's feet.

The warning signs were there and Ian Atkins' men were awarded a penalty nine minutes later when Guinan tangled with Joe Skarz and dusted himself down to send the Bury keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Lowe – by far Bury's most potent attacking force playing just behind Bishop – forced Oscar Jansson into a save but the Gigg Lane men were struggling to run up a head of steam and forced Knill to administer some harsh words at the interval.

They looked like they had forced their way back into the contest in the 51st minute when Michael Jones' cross was blatantly handled in the area by Andy Holt but the referee, Anthony Bates, turned the appeals down.

And so it was left to substitute Worrall to rescue a point when he equalised within five minutes of being thrown into the action.

Andy Haworth released Lowe, who fashioned an opening but somehow hit the post and presented Worrall with the simple task of striking into an empty net from a few yards out.

Neither side could force a winner but Knill believes his side ended the match much the stronger side.

“I know we are better than we showed in the first half,” he added. “Because I have seen what the players are capable of I expect that all the time.

“I suppose they are human and it is a work in progress but I want it all now. Once we get it together we will be a proper team to be reckoned with.”

BURY: Belford 8, Picken 7, Lees 7, Sodje 8 (Futcher 7, 84), Skarz 6, Haworth 7, Schumacher 8, Sweeney 7, Jones 7 (Worrall 8, 63), Lowe 9, Bishop 7 (John-Lewis 7, 63). Subs not used: Carlton, Bennett, Mozika, Branagan.

NORTHAMPTON: Jansson 7, Rodgers 7 (Thornton 6, 84), Hall 6, Beckwith 7, Gilligan 7 (Harris 6, 76), Osman 8, Guinan 7, Holt 6, Wedderburn 8, McKay 6, Jacobs 6 (Purcell 6, 61). Subs not used: Walker, Johnson, Konstantinou, Death.

Attendance: 2,845 (240 Northampton fans)

Referee: Anthony Bates (Staffs)