RYAN Lowe is quickly writing himself into Bury folklore alongside legendary strikers like Craig Madden, Mark Carter and Ray Pointer.

The predatory Scouse striker netted his 20th goal of the season on Tuesday evening to earn Bury a deserved point against leaders Chesterfield and, in the process, earn the plaudits from his manager Alan Knill.

“Ryan has been a great signing,” said Knill, of the 32-year-old who also netted 18 goals in his debut season after signing from Chester City in the summer of 2009.

“When we came to renew his contract a few months ago, there was some hesitation because of his age and the fact we are trying to get a younger squad but, with a player like Ryan, it is not about pace – he is just clever.

“If you put him in front of goal he doesn't panic. I think he will play on for a long time.

“He has got 20 goals now and that is quality considering there are plenty of games left.

“When I watched him play at Chester he was always the one at the top just gambling, but we have changed his game and now we ask him to do more and link play etc.

“He helps the team more and the team help him. He is a leader and a real honest person – a top club man all round.”

A point was the very least Bury deserved from their clash with the Spireites, who finished the game with 10 men when Deane Smalley was sent-off in the 85th minute. Craig Davies capitalised on a slip from Efe Sodje to put the visitors into the lead in the 19th minute, but the Shakers showed real character to fight back and, with a bit more of a ruthless edge in front of goal, they would have romped to victory against John Sheridan’s men.

They will feel aggrieved they did not get a penalty just before half-time, however, when Andy Haworth played a clever ball into the box and Lowe was brought down by Javan Vidal, only for the penalty pleas to fall on deaf ears.

But justice was done a minute after the restart when Vidal played Lowe onside and the striker expertly slotted home to become the division's leading goalscorer.

That was the signal for long periods of sustained Shakers pressure, with Lenny John-Lewis and Michael Jones going close.

But, at the other end, mistakes were still creeping in and Sodje once again gave the ball away to Davies and the striker fired narrowly wide.

The chances kept coming as Bury laid siege to the Chesterfield goal – John-Lewis bringing a fantastic save out of Tommy Lee in the final minute and Lowe again going close but, try as they might, there was no way through.