Rovers lost nine of their first sixteen games, but are now undefeated in four and O'Toole, 25, scored his second spot kick in two games after winger Eliot Richards was felled by full back Shaun Beeley. He then revealed:
"Even though we got the early goal, we were slow to start. They beat us up and got the better of us. The gaffer got into us at half time and we came out brighter. We needed a rocket up the backside."
"We were on a bad run, but we've picked up a lot. We're going into each game with more confidence now."
O'Toole scores from the spot
Rovers manager John Ward accepted the draw and said:
"It is what it is. It was one of those games when both sides could've won it, but whether either side should've won it, I'll leave to others to make their minds up."
Ward is also feeling positive about his team's change in fortunes. He said:
“We are getting stronger and better. We now have to see if we can keep improving in the next couple of games.”
Striker Danny Hylton levelled nine minutes before the break. Full back Shaun Seeley whipped a cross over from the right flank and Rotherham loanee Hylton out jumped Rovers central defenders to bundle in his first goal for the club.
Steve Mildenhall had pulled off a late, great save to make sure of the point.
Veteran keeper Mildenhall, 35, needed to beat away a 90th minute strike from former Manchester United youth prospect Daniel Nardiello at full stretch to secure Rovers four game unbeaten run.
Bury's caretaker manager Ronnie Jepson is delighted to have secured the services of hit man Nardiello for a second loan spell from Rotherham. He said:
"He's a great addition to the football club. He scores goals at this level for fun and I'm looking forward to working with him. The Chairman did brilliantly to get the deal over the line. The coach had to be delayed to come down on Friday while we waited for him to fill in the forms - it was touch and go. He only got to know the lads in the hotel that night so it would have been too much to ask him to start, but he'll now have a big part to play."
Jepson was pleased with the effort shown by his team and said:
"The players gave me everything. I'm happy with the point, but we couldn't have got off to a worse start."
Bury should have cancelled out O'Toole's opener in the fifteenth minute, but Shaun Harrad was guilty of missing a real sitter.
Midfielder Tom Soares sent over a low cross from the right and striker Harrad somehow managed to balloon the ball over the bar from two yards in front of an empty goal.
Opposite number Chris Beardlsey was left equally red-faced in the 51st minute when he managed to nod defender Michael Smith's cross wide with the goal begging.
Six minutes later Smith split the Bury defence to pick out Beardsley again, but the striker's low shot was well saved by Brian Jensen.
Midenhall produces a flying save to palm away a Soares's free kick
My piece from the Sunday paper
... and Monday's edition
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