Bury’s automatic promotion bid will go down to the wire after the Shakers claimed a goalless draw at Gillingham on Saturday.

Morecambe did Bury a favour by holding Exeter to a 2-2 draw so a win would have sent the Shakers into the top three heading into the final day.

But Bury were grateful for a point as Gillingham fought in vain for the victory they needed to maintain their own automatic hopes.

Manager Alan Knill sprang a selection surprise with John Welsh keeping his place ahead of Stephen Dawson, who is set to be named player of the season on Tuesday and was available again after a two-match ban.

That decision did not backfire, though, as Welsh recovered from a shaky start to carry out the midfield holding role before Dawson came off the bench to help Bury hang on.

“It was a brave decision but I think John did well again,” said assistant boss Chris Brass, who was sent to face the press pack after a nervy afternoon in Kent.

“Stephen was disappointed, but I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t. He took it on the chin and then came on and did his bit.

“We’ve all got to do our part in order to get Bury where we want to be and we did that. We were resolute and we held on in there.

“Coming to Gillingham, you’ve got to be happy if you get a clean sheet and it was a good point. It takes it down to the last game and we still have a chance.”

Glynn Hurst’s early strike proved to be Bury’s only effort on target, although Andy Bishop and Elliott Bennett went close at the start of the second half.

Gillingham strike pair Simeon Jackson and Mark McCammon proved a handful throughout, and Wayne Brown saved a McCammon header before denying Josh Wright.

Jackson then sent a close-range strike narrowly wide on the hour mark while Bury breathed a sigh of relief with 19 minutes left as they saw a 20-yard volley from Stuart Lewis come back off a post.

Jackson saw another opening snuffed out late on as the Shakers hung on, setting up a crucial home clash against neighbours Accrington on Saturday.

If Exeter draw at Rotherham then Bury must win to clinch automatic promotion, although if Exeter lose, a draw would be good enough to send the Shakers up on goal difference.

Second-placed Wycombe can still be caught on goal difference but they host lowly Notts County.

“It was a little bit jittery but nerves are natural,” Brass added. “We try to calm them down but it’s easy to say that when you’re on the touchline.

“You hear Chinese whispers, telling you how things are, but I think you’ve just got to switch off from that because we can only affect our game.

“I think myself and the boss will just deal with whatever’s happening with us.”

Bury: Brown 7; Haslam 7, Futcher 7, Sodje 7, Buchanan 7, Bennett 7, Barry-Murphy 6, Welsh 7, Jones 6 (Dawson 73, 7); Bishop 6, Hurst 6 (Jevons 83). Subs not used: Cresswell, Morrell, Racchi.

Gillingham: Royce 7, Fuller 7, Richards 7, King 7, Nutter 6, Lewis 7, Wright 6 (Oli 61), Weston 6, Barcham 6, Jackson 7, McCammon 7.

Subs not used: Bentley, Southall, Steer, Julian.

Attendance: 8,360.