Bury 1 Newport County 1

After Saturday’s 4-1 thumping at Crawley Town, County fans will have been fearing the worst once Nicky Maynard gave the hosts a first-half lead.

But substitute Antoine Semenyo changed the game for the Exiles, setting up the equaliser for Matt 10 minutes into the second half.

And an inspired performance from goalkeeper Joe Day ensured that they picked up a morale-boosting result on what was a very good day for the club.

After the major boost of Joss Labadie’s return to the club, there was also good news on the injury front as Tyler Forbes, Mark O’Brien and Robbie Willmott returned to fitness.

O’Brien replaced Fraser Franks, who began a three-match ban after his red card at Crawley, while Josh Sheehan and Semenyo dropped to the bench.

Flynn reverted to a back three with O’Brien in between David Pipe and captain Mickey Demetriou.

Charlie Cooper started out as the most advanced midfielder behind front two Padraig Amond and Matt.

Cooper won an early free-kick, which Willmott whipped just wide, and Forbes saw a dangerous cross headed behind after cutting in from the right flank but the hosts soon got into their stride and dominated the first half.

Ryan Lowe’s side looked full of confidence after smashing Notts County 4-0 at the weekend and they were too good for the Exiles before the break.

Danny Mayor ran the game for the Shakers, ably supported by Nicky Adams, Dominic Telford and Nicky Maynard.

The latter gave his side a deserved lead on 24 minutes after a delightful turn to get away from Demetriou near the centre circle.

The former Cardiff City striker advanced on Day’s goal ominously and stroked the ball inside the goalkeeper’s left-hand post from just outside the box.

It was Maynard’s fifth goal in his last four games and he could have had more before the interval.

Mayor danced through the County defence after half an hour and picked out Telford. His shot was blocked and Maynard couldn’t quite connect on the rebound.

Pipe then did really well to head Adams’ cross away from danger with Maynard waiting to pounce behind him.

The visitors were hanging on and were glad to hear the half-time whistle when it came after an injury to Bury’s Chris Stokes.

Flynn’s men began the second half with plenty of attacking intent, with Forbes getting forward to good effect down the right, but there was still danger at the other end as Maynard dragged a shot across goal and just wide after a quick break.

Flynn replaced Cooper with Semenyo seven minutes after the restart and his introduction made a real difference.

Within four minutes he made the equaliser with a tempting cross from the left that was not dealt with by the home defence, who allowed Matt to ghost in and prod the ball beyond Joe Murphy.

The goal was greeted with delight by the 88 travelling fans behind Murphy’s net but it shocked the rest of Gigg Lane and set up an end-to-end final half hour.

Day saved superbly at point-blank range to deny Maynard before Semenyo burst through the home defence only to be let down by his control at the crucial moment.

Mayor almost saw a vicious drive sneak inside the post but Day was alert to the danger again.

And the Bury number 10, who was excellent throughout, was cursing the County keeper once more moments later as he jinked his way into the box only to come up against the immovable Day.

When Maynard did get the ball past the Exiles number one five minutes from time he fired into the side netting and the hosts were ultimately frustrated by a dogged display from the men in black.

County: Day; Pipe, O’Brien, Demetriou; Forbes, Bennett, Willmott (Pring, 85), Butler; Cooper (Semenyo, 52); Amond, Matt

Subs not used: Townsend, Foulston, Sheehan, Harris, Hillman

Booked: Demetriou

Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance: 3,072 (County 88)

Argus star man: Day