Stuart McCall blamed his side for slacking off after another dose of late-goal misery at Bury.

City were within three minutes of a third straight win last night when midfielder Dale Stephens made it 2-2 with a superb long-range equaliser.

But McCall felt his side should have shown more nous by running down the clock in home territory.

"You've got to hold your hands up for a great piece of skill and a smashing strike," the City boss admitted.

"Maybe we couldn't stop that bit but 30 seconds earlier we had the ball in their half and just had to turn them and keep it.

"We've got experienced players in the side and we lost the ball through a miscommunication. It was slack.

"So instead of having the ball back deep in their half, they've got a throw-in in ours and been able to get in a shot. You can't take it away from the lad but it's so disappointing because we've been ahead twice and going into the last three or four minutes you expect to hold on."

Barry Conlon had put City in front from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time and substitute Kyle Nix's fifth goal for the club restored their advantage before Bury's late leveller.

Nix had come on for Peter Thorne, who was hampered by a stiff neck which makes him a doubt for Saturday's re-arranged trip to Wrexham.

McCall said: "He's had the problem for a couple of days but was desperate to play, especially on the back of his hat-trick against Notts County.

"We were hoping that with pain-killers it would loosen off in the game because of the adrenaline. But it never freed up for him and got worse as it went on.

"He's in a lot of pain now and we've got three or four with ice packs on their bruises but you expect it from that sort of game.

"I thought with the conditions it was going to be about strength and pace and not the trickery of people like Billy Topp. So I had thought of playing Omar (Daley) up there with his speed if Thorney didn't make it.

"And I don't usually pick out individuals but Baz was superb. It was like going back to Morecambe, a typically tough away game when you need strong players and his work-rate and all-round play was second to none.

"He showed what we need to produce."

McCall had no complaints about the Gigg Lane surface that was only passed fit to play at lunchtime after an inspection by referee Michael Oliver.

"The pitch was soggy and bumpy in parts but it was a decent game and we created some good chances.

"Bury had beaten Norwich in their last home game so we knew it would be a tough physical battle. But I thought with the second-half performance we might just edge it."

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