Shakers 0, Boston 0: SHAKERS failed to break down Boston but stay third in the Division Three table after defeats for Torquay and Scunthorpe.

Full report and reaction on Monday

Earlier, Shakers boss Andy Preece paid tribute to bottom-of-the-table Swansea City for a stirring fightback that almost denied the Shakers three vital points earlier this week..

The Gigg Lane men looked to be cruising to an easy win after roaring into a three goal lead inside the first half hour of Tuesday's match at the Vetch Field.

However, spurred on by former Bury midfielder Paul Reid, the Swans were a different proposition in the second half and threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Shakers.

They were rewarded by two goals from their inspirational skipper Jason Smith - the second following a mistake by keeper Glyn Garner - which set up a nerve-jangling final 13 minutes for the Shakers.

"Full credit to Swansea for their battling display," said Preece.

"However, we really should have settled the game early in the second half.

"We had two or three great chances and if we'd have gone four or five goals in front that would have been it.

"But we didn't and they really came at us in the second half playing plenty of balls into the box and we allowed them far too many corners, throw-ins and free kicks.

"There first goal seemed to give them the momentum to go on again but at that point I thought we'd be okay.

"But you can't legislate for the kind of mistake Glyn made and from then on it was real backs to the wall stuff.

"It's human nature to get jittery like that after being 3-0 up then all of a sudden it's 3-2.

"The crowd really got behind their team as they had nothing to lose and suddenly the Swansea players began to believe in themselves.

"But in the end we saw it through and that's the most important thing."

Nevertheless, the Bury boss was well pleased with some of the forward play his side showed in the first half.

"Some of the football we played was superb and late in the game we had other opportunities to kill the game off but chose the wrong options in the final area.

"Looking at it now it's a good three points because on the night other top teams found it tough against struggling ones.

"Torquay could only draw at Bristol Rovers and Oxford couldn't beat Darlington at home."