The point meant more to struggling Macclesfield town than to promotion-chasing Bury in this exciting North West derby.
Manager David Moss was delighted with his side's battling display where as Bury boss Andy Preece was frustrated as his side's promotion chase stalled.
Moss said: "We got what we expected, a real battle against one of the best sides in the division but over the last two or three weeks my players have responded with pride." And Preece conceded: "This was more difficult than the game last week against league leaders Hartlepool, Macclesfield are fighting for their lives and it showed in their battling performance." Although Macclesfield dominated the opening stages it was their keeper Steve Wilson who had the first early scare, a curling George Clegg free kick flying inches past his upright.
The Silkmen bossed the midfield and in the 26th minute wing back George Abbey stepped in off the right before forcing Glyn Garner to make a good low save to his left.
Garner was in even better form moments before the break hurling himself to his right to tip a looping Danny Whitaker volley inches over the bar.
Preece threw more men forward in the second half and was nearly rewarded in the 64th minute when Danny Swailes crashed a header off the cross bar.
But the save of the game came ten minutes later when Matthew Tipton looked almost certain to score from close range only for Garner to pull off a brave flying block.
The Shakers could have stolen all the points at the death, Lee Connell neatly lifting the ball over Steve Wilson but being denied by the ever-alert Town skipper Darren Tinson who made a lunging clearance off the line.