Shrimps pick up a point in a game dominated by the windy conditions
A game which was dominated by the windy conditions saw Morecambe pick up a point at the Globe Arena against Tranmere Rovers.
The game began steadily with neither side getting on top. Morecambe enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages but were frustrated by a lack of crisp passing as Tranmere stood firm.
Jamie Devitt went closest on 15 minutes with his 25-yard free kick curling just over the opposition bar and the 21st minute saw the wind make its first contribution, frustratingly blowing Devitt’s corner straight out of play.
This proved to be a sign of things to come.
There was a brief flashpoint on the half hour mark as Marcus Holness was stretched off the field. Swansea loanee Rory Donnelly came on in place of Tranmere’s number six, forcing them into a change of system.
The visitors switched from 3-5-2 to a 4-1-4-1 formation and it seemed to be a positive move as they finally began to get a foothold in the game, but it was to prove fruitless as the game remained scoreless at the break.
Only a Mark Hughes shot from inside his own half broke the tedium on 44 minutes.
The Shrimps were plying into the strong wind in the second half and Tranmere began the second half on top.
It was Marc Laird of Tranmere who had the first good chance of the half, heading just over from close range before Donnelly and Stockton were next to try their luck for the visitors, but it was to no avail.
The Shrimps improved after the hour mark but no moment of inspiration arrived. Tom McCready replaced Jamie Devitt on 79 minutes, and Padraig Amond came on for Kevin Ellison while Alan Goodall was replaced by Alex Kenyon. But they could not produce a winner.
A frustrating game, but a 10th clean sheet at this early stage of the season is a real positive.
Morecambe: Arestidou, Hughes (c), Edwards, Parrish; Beeley, Drummond, Goodall (Kenyon 85), Wilson; Devitt (McCready 79), Redshaw, Ellison (Amond, 85). Subs not used: Jones, Williams, Mullin, McGowan.
Booked: Devitt.
Tranmere: Fon Williams, Holmes, Ihiekwe, Holness (rep R Donnelly 31), Ridehalgh, Jennings, Laird (rep G Donnelly 67), Power, Thompson, Fenelon (rep Koumas 67), Stockton. Subs not used: Brezovan, Kirkby, Gumbs, Jago.
Ref: E Ilderton
Att: 2,232.