A LATE Nicky Law goal robbed Morecambe of a point at the Globe Arena.

Exeter took a two-goal lead through Jake Taylor and Lee Martin before the home side rallied to draw level with two goals from substitute Lewis Alessandra, but Law was on hand to finish in the 85th minute to secure the win.

Shrimps’ Manager Jim Bentley made just one change to the side that beat Macclesfield I midweek with Andrew Tutte recalled in midfield in place of Lewis Alessandra.

The game struggled for any rhythm for the opening 20 minutes with neither side able to carve out any sort of chance to test either goalkeeper.

In fact, it was City’s first meaningful attack which saw them take the lead on 21 minutes. After Lewis Ward cleared well from a Morecambe attack, the ball was play in-field to Nicky Law, who then played a wonderful ball out to Lee Martin with the outside of his boot before the City number seven pulled the ball back for Taylor to side foot home to give City the advantage.

Matt Taylor’s men then doubled their lead just a couple of minutes later when Law did well to thread the ball through to Taylor before the City captain was tackled in the area, but Lee Martin was on hand to pick up the loose ball and fire home from close range.

The visitors almost went three-up on 29 minutes when the excellent Randell Williams beat his marker out on the right before he found the onrushing Law, who then burst forward and shot, but for a good save from Barry Roche with his legs.

City thought they’d added a third just seconds before half-time when Dean Moxey headed Williams’ corner goalwards but the offside Lee Martin turned the ball over the line.

It proved to be a decisive moment in the game as the Shrimps pulled a goal back just seconds before half-time when substitute Alessandra picked up possession on the edge of the City box letting fly with a stunning shot that curled and dipped past Ward as it flew into the top corner of the Exeter net.

The game then turned on its head as Morecambe began to take charge.

Cole Stockton had the first chance of the second period as Morecambe looked to build some momentum that they gathered towards the end of the first half.

After the ball was played into Stockton just inside the City box by John O'Sullivan, the striker shot first time but was unable to keep his effort on target.

The home side continued to look for a way back into the game and they drew level just after the hour mark when some patient play saw the ball eventually played forward before Stockton found Alessandra with a neat lay off to finish past an onrushing Ward.

Both sides continued to look for a winner, and the Grecians had Archie Collins to thank when the home side broke from a City corner. After working the ball well, John O’Sullivan shot from just outside the box, but for a brave block from Collins.

But it was City who would find the next goal in the 85th minute when the ball was recycled from a cross from the right before Law picked it up on the left in the Morecambe box and finished well with his left foot to put City back ahead.

But a resilient Morecambe side continued to look for a way back into the game and in a bit of a scramble on the edge of the box, the ball fell to Andrew Tutte who fired a fierce effort at goal, but for a wonderful block from Aaron Martin with his head. To make matters worse for the Shrimps am Lavelle was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card for a foul on Ryan Bowman after a quick Exeter break.

Morecambe: Roche, Buxton (Alessandra, 31), Old (Ellison, 89), Tutte, O’Sullivan, Stockton (Leitch-Smith, 67), Sutton, Brewitt, Lavelle, Miller, Cranston
Subs not used: Halstead, Wildig, Oates, Brownsword
Booked:
Sent off: Lavelle

Exeter City: Ward, Sweeney, A. Martin, L. Martin (Fisher, 80), Law, Williams (Richardson, 83), Bowman, Moxey, Sparkes (Parkes, 86), Taylor, Collins
Subs not used: Maxted, Woodman, Ajose, Jay
Booked: Taylor

Attendance: 1,517 (Inc, 144, away)