Oxford United ground out a point - their third sucessive away draw - from a dour battle at Gigg Lane yesterday.

Jon Ashton's return made them look more solid defensively, but they got off lightly in the first 45 minutes when Bury had them penned back in their own half.

New signing Doudou, from the Congo, was introduced at the break and showed his pace and trickery, but this again looked a squad that needs an injection of three or four players to make real headway in the league.

It was a much-changed line-up, forced in part by Chris Hackett starting his three-match suspen- sion.

Up front, Steve Basham replaced Craig Davies, who the management felt was looking tired, and captain Lee Bradbury slotted in as the left-sided midfielder, with Lee Molyneaux keeping his place on the right.

Ashton returned after injury to replace David Woozley in the centre of defence.

Rob Wolleaston partnered Barry Quinn in central midfield with confirmation coming through that Quinn's suspension will start against Darlington this Saturday.

Bury, beaten 1-0 at Lincoln on New Year's Day, started much more positively than the visitors in their all-black away strip.

Playmaker Brian Barry-Murphy was at the centre of everything the Shakers did on a heavy pitch after recent heavy rain.

In the second minute, his cross was nodded just over and the former Port Vale and Derby midfielder went close soon afterwards with a 25-yard free-kick.

Leo Roget had kept his place, but he continued to give keeper Chris Tardif heart flutters.

After a strong run by David Nugent, and right-wing cross from Chris Porter, Roget embarrassingly completely missed his kick four yards out. Thankfully for him, the resulting shot was blocked.

Roget had to make a vital retrieving challenge on Nugent after another slip, and it was all Bury as Porter went close with a downward header which Tardif half-saved and Molyneaux helped scramble away.

Roget had a let-off when he handled a Nugent shot inside the box in the 38th minute, though he will undoubtedly agree with referee Grant Hegley's interpretation that it was ball to hand rather than the other way around.

The ray of hope for United, as they struggled to get their game together, was Tommy Mooney. Although not as effective as he was in his exceptional showing against Wycombe, he was still a constant danger to the home side with clever reverse passes and lay-offs.

Manager Ramon Diaz brought on the diminutive Doudou for the second half, and the new signing brought cheers from the Oxford fans with two nutmegs in his first three or four touches.

Doudou began on the left of midfield, allowing Bradbury to move into the middle. But it wasn't long before Jamie Brooks came on, freeing Doudou to use his pace in attack.

United's best chance of the match came in the 63rd minute when Mooney ran onto Dave Mackay's long ball over the top, but a dreadful first touch meant the opportunity was lost.

For most of the second half, the U's seemed content to sit deep and soak up pressure, and try to hit Bury on the break through Brooks and Doudou.

But the pitch was energy-sapping, and the second half petered out until the closing moments.

Then Danny Swailes missed a glorious chance when he volleyed over at the far post.

Moments later, Mooney was just wide with a teasing first-time shot on the turn.

As the game went into injury time, Mooney was furious with a linesman for refusing to give handball against keeper Andy Marriott outside his area, and he was booked for his protests.

United didn't manage a single shot on target, but for all that, it was still a useful point.