It is becoming death by draws for Bury, who still moved up to third after their fourth successive stalemate.

The promotion chasing Shakers brought back the Bish in search of their first goal in four games.

Bury's prolific scorer Andy Bishop, making his first start since September, missed several first half chances and came closest with a header cleared off the line.

But Bury's prayers were answered when the ref awarded them a dubious penalty.

Darlington struck first when Ryan Cresswell's chest control let him down and as he tried to recover Gary Smith got there first and was upended.

Tadhg Purcell dispatched an unstoppable spot kick high into Brown's left-hand corner.

Bury were handed their lifeline on 39 minutes when Dawson went to ground after appearing to push sub Josh Gray as the defender and Redmond closed on the ball.

But the referee pointed to the spot and Ryan Lowe drilled the ball low to the keeper's right.

In the second half, Lowe lifted over before Bishop was replaced by Tom Elliott.

And Mike Jones missed a gilt-edged chance from close range.

“Come on Bury,” chanted the supporters as Bury pressed for a winner. But at the final whistle  the boos once again echoed around Gigg Lane.

Bury: Brown 7, Buchanan 8, Cresswell 6, Futcher 7, Newey 7; Worrall 6 (Hewson 78mins), Dawson 7, Barry-Murphy7, Jones 6; Bishop 6 (Elliott 61), Lowe 6. Subs not used:Baker, Racchi, Sodje, Morrell, Belford.