Kai Evans quickly struck back, scoring a goal straight from a corner after Ciaran McGuckin had scored a brilliant opener.

A crowd of over 4,900 packed Gigg Lane as the Shakers took on the former EFL and full-time outfit Harrogate Town in front of the BBC cameras.

The Yorkshire club, currently second in the National League, started stronger, winning a slew of early free-kicks and corners, testing the Bury defence.

Anthony Johnson’s men proved up to the challenge, especially Bailey Sloane returning from injury, putting in a super performance.

Bury managed to carve out their first chance as Kai Evans got the ball to Mo Touray, however the Shakers forward shot over the crossbar.

Ciaran McGuckin went close for the Sulphurites, getting on the end of a cross.

The match was finely poised.

Leo Graham and Rustam Stepans both had crosses that just needed someone on the end of them, while former Ramsbottom United man Josh Hmami fired a shot wide of the far post, and James Neild had to put in a super tackle to deny Ellis Taylor from breaking through.

The visitors opened the scoring with a great goal.

McGuckin, on the end of a long ball, cut inside from the left before curling a shot to the top corner.

The Shakers, however, immediately hit back.

Kai Evans, winning a corner on the left wing and taking the set-piece himself, curled it into the far bottom corner, the second time he has scored direct from a corner this season.

After the break Bury were much the better side.

Whether they had more confidence or had given the high-ranked away side too much respect in the first half, the Shakers took the match to Harrogate Town.

Leo Graham, played in by Touray, should have taken a shot.

Good work on the right wing between Stepans and Owen Robinson nearly saw Tom Carr fed the ball in the middle.

Robinson, crossing from a Stepans free-kick, found Oscar Threlkeld but his header was straight at Harrogate’s Bury-born keeper Luke Hutchinson.

Harrogate still posed a threat.

Ellis Taylor whizzed a shot wide of the top corner, while substitute Shawn McCoulsky ought to have scored from a header from close range.

Will McGowan came closest of all but Mitch Allen saved well and Neild was able to clear.

The most and best chances fell for Bury but the finishing touch eluded them.

A looping Neild header from an Evans free-kick had to be saved by Hutchinson, who also produced a superb save from Evans himself.

Evans, twice from range, tried a shot on goal but narrowly placed his efforts wide.

The match finished as an entertaining draw, with the tie to be settled in a replay at Harrogate on Tuesday.

By then, Bury will know who they could possible face in the first round proper with the draw set to take place on Monday evening.