Stockport County U/18 4, Morecambe U/18 4.
Following a midweek thumping of Accrington Stanley courtesy of goals from Barnes, Bell and Openshaw Morecambe travelled to Stockport looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.
The home side were first out of the blocks with some slick passing and devastating movement. There was no surprise when County went in front thanks to Tom Fisher's 10th minute goal from 12 yards out following slack defending. County pressed for more and but for resolute defending by Baird and Jackson would have got it. Countless saving blocks and tackles.
On the half hour some fortune Bell chased down the keeper and his poor clearance fell to Clark who drove the ball home from 18 yards, Clarks goal although Bell claims a touch from close range.
Then County, on the stroke of half time pressed the self destruct button. A short back pass let it Dodwell who dummied the keeper before slotting home then the defence presenting the ball to Poole from the kick off and cheekily lobbed the keeper from 25 yards. Morecambe youngsters 3-1 up at the break - nobody quite believing how!
Morecambe perhaps sensing some injustice allowed the home side back into it. A long ball poorly dealt with allowed Fisher to pull one back just after half time before Matty Kosylo levelled on 66 minutes. Morecambe inability to defend set pieces coming back to haunt them.
On 85 mins the goal of the game. Morecambe worked the ball from left to right Richards and Poole combined to set free Trippet and his pin point cross was steered home by Bell. Just when the referee was about to blow disaster struck a hopeful cross caused confusion - Scott unlucky with a block that fell to Sam Hare and he passed home to rescue a point for Craig Madden's youngsters.
So after taking 14 points from a possible 18 Morecambe remain confident and with 2 games remaining a strong end to campaign is in sight.
Morecambe : Scott, Jackson, Baird, Richards, Barnes, Preston (Craven 70), Dodwell, Clark, Trippett, Poole, Bell. Subs not used: Bee, Silver, Ball.
County: Astbury; Disney, L Barnes (Sheridan), Graham, S Barnes, Jones, Murty, Williams, Fisher, Hare, Kosylo.
Subs not used: Egerton, Bradley, Johnson, Hill.
Morecambe' Next Fixture; Home to Bury, Lancaster & Morecambe College 11am k.o. 25/04/09.
