Cheltenham striker Kayode Odejayi denied Bury their fourth win in five games with his second goal of the season to earn his side a point in 1-1 draw.
Bobby Gould's team, with 16 goals from their five previous games, trailed to a controversial first half penalty until Odejayi struck.
In doing so the Robins' striker spared the blushes of ex-Bolton and West Brom favourite Bob Taylor who should initially have done better when put clear by Mark Yates.
However, the loose ball broke for Odejayi to steer into the net from 12 yards despite Greg Strong standing on the line.
"I thought we bossed it in the second half but we didn't create enough clear cut opportunities," said Gould.
"I have spoken to the players and I've told them we are good enough to give anybody in this league a game.
"So, as a manager I'm disappointed we didn't take another two points from the match." Evergreen Andy Preece's fourth goal of the season gave Bury a half-time lead.
The Shakers player-boss fired home a 35th minute spot-kick after Kevin Amankwaah had handled a Harpal Singh cross.
The only argument was whether the incident took place outside the area.
But after consulting with his linesman referee Nigel Miller from County Durham presented Preece with an opportunity to break the stalemate.
Town almost hit back immediately but Glynn Garner kept out a Graham Fyfe effort just before the break.
Neither side found their best form in the second period and Bury looked to be on course for the three points.
Gareth Seddon and Colin Woodthorpe both made promising sorties into the penalty area but their final ball lacked accuracy.
Cheltenham were no better and had not really threatened to come back into the match.
However, after former Manchester United starlet Ben Thornley was dispossessed by Yates in the centre circle, the visitors broke away to score the equaliser.
"It wasn't as though we were under sustained pressure," sighed Preece. "It was just a breakaway goal.
"Whether or not Taylor was offside doesn't matter. We should have done better to get back and put a block in.
"I'm disappointed because we didn't show enough idea or imagination to go on and win the game.
"When we needed someone to give us a lift, there wasn't anybody." Taylor and Darren Jones both squandered late chances, while Preece wasted Bury's best effort. But a second goal for either side would have been unjust in a game of poor quality.