FORMER Blackpool man Luke Varney scored twice to spoil Morecambe’s hopes of making it three wins from three.

The injury ravaged Shrimps looked set for the three points with a stoic performance but were hit by a 94th minute Cheltenham leveller from Varney who was making his first start for the Robins.

It was a huge blow for the Shrimps who had battled against all the odds to put in a solid performance that saw them look set to take the points.

Boss Jim Bentley had to make three changes to the side that beat Grimsby on Saturday with Andrew Tutte and Rhys Oates dropping to the bench and Aaron Wildig ruled out after picking up an injury in training on Monday.

With Andy Fleming and Alex Kenyon out long term the Shrimps had to change their system and put Luke Conlan and Lamin Jagne in midfielder with the injuries mounting up for the Shrimps.

Despite the lack of numbers Morecambe always looked s threat and took the lead in the 31st minutes through Jordan Cranston.

The former Cheltenham defender collected the ball on the left hand side of the box and from an acute angle let fly with a low shot that beat home keeper Scott FlInders to his left.

Unfortunately for the Shrimps they lost defender Steven Old to injury moments later and the home side took advantage with a goal before the break.

Cheltenham launched a ball to far post for Tyrone Barnett to head back into the danger area and Varney reacted smartly to poke the loose ball past Barry Riche from close range.

The Shrimps regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Rhys Oates scored for the second game in succession when he produced a fine finish from Jagne's lay off with a low shot from the edge of the area to beat Flinders low to his left.

Jagne then conceded a penalty three minutes later but the youngster was reprieved when Barnett blasted the spot kick high over the bar.

From there the Shrimps looked threatening on the break with Vadaine Oliver and Oates both failing to take advantage of one on ones before The Robins struck at the death when Varney spotted home the loose ball after the Shrimps failed to clear a deep cross.

Cheltenham: Flinders, Forster, Boyle, Mullins, Field (rep Mooney 85), Dawson (rep Hussey 68), Attangana, Clements, Maddox, Varney, Barnett (rep Lloyd 69). Subs not used: Tozer, Baldwin, Lovett, Kalala.

Morecambe: Roche, Lavelle, Old (rep Oates 32), Yarney, Mills, Jagne (rep Tutte 60h' Conlan, Mandeville, Cranston, Leitch-Smith (rep Ellison 78), Oliver. Subs not used: Halstead, Oswell, Mendes Gomes, Hedley.

Referee: N Hair.
Att: 2,095.