Nothing could separate Stalybridge Celtic and Bury as they played out a 1-1 draw at Bower Fold on Saturday. Kai Evan’s opener was cancelled out by Jack Irlam’s equaliser early in the second half.

Injured captain Aaron Chalmers was absent from Bury’s FA Cup tie while Bebeto Gomes, Gabriel Johnson and Callum Spooner made their first starts of the season. In opposition there were no fewer than five players in the Celtic XI that had played for Bury in the last two years with many familiar faces now appearing in the blue of Stalybridge.

In a match of few chances there was little for either fanbase to shout about except for a collision between DJ Pedro and Celts keeper Charlie Monks.

The hosts best chance of the half fell to Irlam, latching onto a header played across goal by Jack Tinning the Celts forward’s effort was just wide of the far post.

Bury had yet to test the hosts as the half hour mark approached but a quick counterattack saw Gabriel Johnson head the ball into the path of Kai Evans to blast home from the Shakers first chance of the match.

The home side could have equalised just before the break. Ruben Jerome playing in Irlam to shoot on the Bury goal but his effort narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Immediately after the restart Stalybridge won a free kick allowing Irlam to grab his goal powering the set piece beyond the Bury wall and into the bottom corner.

The equaliser put the visitors on their heels for the opening stages of the second half but the defence held firm. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock came as Bury making a rare attack lost possession. The ball was played long to Irlam who beating the offside trap was left with the freedom of Bower Fold to himself. With only keeper Mitch Allen to beat he attempted a lob that went clear over Allen’s head though fortunately for Bury it also cleared the crossbar.

The full time whistle confirmed the draw on the day with a replay to be played at Gigg Lane to determine who will move onto the first qualifying round.