The visitors showed why they are close to the top of League Two with some swift attacks producing a string of second half chances.

But Roche stopped everything that came his way with a masterclass of the goalkeeping art.

Bury engineered the first clear chance after six minutes when Elliott Bennett was put clear on goal but Barry Roche spotted the danger and came out swiftly to save at his feet.

A minute later Michael Twiss had Morecambe's first effort, a first time left-footer that flew narrowly wide.

Wayne Curtis had another shot saved by Wayne Brown and, at the other end, Morecambe had to be alert in the box to clear the danger after Andy Bishop tricked his way into space.

But the first half was devoid of clear-cut chances.

Bury almost went ahead straight after the restart, though, when Bishop rose at the post to meet a deep cross but his header was brilliantly saved one-handed by Roche.

Roche again denied the Bury top scorer after 55 minutes, getting down well to block a shot after Bishop had pounced on a mistake by Henry McStay.

Bury were enjoying much the better of the play and started to create chances.

Michael Jones hit the side netting after being put through by Bennett.

Then Dave Artell had to make a superb clearing header to prevent Glynn Hurst getting on the end of Bishop's neat chip.

Roche made another point blank save on the line from a scramble in the box and When Bishop did get the all into the net second later an offside flag saved Morecambe.

But Bury continued to pile on the pressure and Roche was called on again to block with his legs from Hurst's low shot.

And yet Morecambe survived and could have gone in front themselves, Artell meeting a free kick from Twiss with a header that Brown had to collect at the second attempt with Stewart Drummond waiting to pounce.

And when Curtis curled a shot in from the edge of the box, Brown had to react well again to save.

Mark Duffy and Aaron Taylor were thrown into the fray late on as Sammy McIlroy chased all three points against the odds.

But it was Bury who finished much the stronger and Morecambe were happy to hold on for a very hard-earned point.

Morecambe had announced an unchanged team as they looked to continue their nine match unbeaten run with a tough game at home to promotion hopefuls, Bury.

Henry McStay again replaced Danny Adams in defence, Adams suffering from a virus.

Morecambe: Roche, Yates, Bentley, Artell, McStay (Parrish 70), Wainwright (Duffy 64), Hunter, Drummond, Curtis, Twiss, O'Carroll (Taylor 81). Subs: Edge, McLachlan.

Bury: Brown, Buchanan, Haslam, Cresswell, Dawson, Hurst, Bishop, Barry-Murphy, Jones, Sodje, Bennett (Racchi 84). Subs: Futcher, Baker, Morrell, Rouse.

Att: 2,165 (599 from Bury)