Andy Boyle’s first goal for Rovers ensured a point as his side came from behind against Bury
Early strikes from Andy Butler and John Marquis, before a Niall Mason own goal saw Rovers take a 2-1 lead into the break, before the Shakers took the lead following goals from Jay O’Shea and George Miller.
Boyle equalised for Rovers shortly afterwards but, despite late pressure from the home side they were left to settle for a point.
James Coppinger’s corner was cleared out by the Bury defence, but only as far as Mason, with the full back playing the ball forward to Marquis.
The striker played the ball behind him to Coppinger, who’s deep cross into the area was met at the back post by Butler, with the defender powerfully guiding his header beyond Joe Murphy to hand Rovers an early advantage.
Rovers lead was almost doubled immediately, as a neat little one-two between Tommy Rowe and Coppinger allowed the former to play the ball across the box to Marquis.
Marquis’ first-time effort looked destined for the bottom corner, but the ball instead struck the base of the post and bounced out of the way of any danger.
Rovers then had three great chances in quick succession to double their lead as the game ticked past the half-hour mark.
The first chance came for a free-kick, awarded after a trip on Coppinger, and his set-piece was delivered towards the back post, with Phil Edwards getting there in the nick of time to prevent a second.
From the resulting corner, Coppinger’s ball in was met by Rowe, but he was unable to direct a header on goal in towards the near post.
A great bit of play involving the Rovers midfield saw Rovers next chance come along, with Jordan Houghton eventually finding Rowe, who tried to chip the ball over Murphy, but the Shakers’ stopper was equal to it.
Rovers did double their lead eventually not long afterwards, with Matty Blair playing a one-two with Alfie Beestin, before finding Marquis, with the striker collecting the ball inside the area.
He dinked the ball over the on-rushing Murphy and fended off the challenge of Ryan Cooney to ensure the ball went into the back of the net.
Bury went on the attack immediately, earning a free-kick on the right-hand touchline, and it was from this they would find a bit of luck.
Callum Styles sent the ball into the area looking for Miller, but Mason managed to guide a header into his own net, leaving Marko Marosi with no chance and getting the Shakers back into the game, despite them not having a shot on goal.
Their first shot on goal came just before the interval, with Neil Danns getting in behind Blair, but his effort from just inside the area was struck into the side netting.
The Shakers came out firing after the break though, and within the space of 15 minutes of the second half, they’d turned the game completely on its head.
The equaliser came after Blair’s trip on Edwards after the full back cut back inside, and O’Shea drilled the ball down the middle to get Bury back on level terms.
Nine minutes later they were in front in controversial circmstances.
Butler lost the ball to substitute Zeli Ismail, with the winger driving forward towards goal.
Ismail shot with his effort going beyond Marosi, only to be touched in by Miller, who was blatantly in an offside position, however this was missed by the officials and the Shakers were unbelievably ahead.
Five minutes later however, parity was restored as Rovers got themselves back level.
Rowe’s shot was blocked behind for a corner, with Coppinger floating the ball into the area.
His corner was met by the head of Boyle, and the man on-loan from Preston North End steered the ball past Murphy and into the far corner.
Ben Whiteman was next to try his luck in what was becoming a thrilling encounter at the Keepmoat, as he curled just over Murphy’s crossbar from 25 yards out, with the midfielder just not getting quite enough dip on his effort.
Mason went close for Rovers as he broke down the right-hand side, cutting inside onto his left foot and drilling a shot on goal, but Murphy was equal to it and collected the ball comfortably.
Rovers were enjoying a lot of the play late on, and but for two more stops from Murphy, they would have been ahead.
The first came from another corner, this time substitute Rodney Kongolo swung the ball into the area, with Butler rising, only for Murphy to claw the ball over from under his crossbar.
The second came from Rowe’s effort, with the Rovers man weaving his way into the area, only to see the Shakers’ stopper collect his effort at his feet.
Time wasn’t on Rovers’ side however, and the visitors were just about able to see the game out and claim a point, with Rovers on the end of some hard luck at times, unable to claim a deserved winner late on.
Rovers return to action this weekend, as they host Oxford United at the Keepmoat on Saturday in Sky Bet League One, and they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.