Match Report: Hartlepool Utd 3-2 Morecambe
Morecambe ended 2016 with a controversial defeat against struggling Hartlepool.
Boss Jim Bentley was left furious with referee Seb Stockbridge for a 13th minute penalty award that gave the home side the chance to go 2-0 up after just 13 minutes following an excellent opening goal from former Shrimps' striker Padraig Amond.
Boss Bentley stuck with the same team that beat Mansfield on Boxing Day but the Shrimps suffered the worst possible start when Amond gave the home side the lead with a fine goal on 10 minutes.
Amond collected the ball on the edge of the Morecambe box and produced a fine turn and volley that looped over Barry Roche and into the top corner of the Morecambe goal.
There was worse to follow just three minutes later when the Shrimps conceded a second after a controversial penalty. Ryan Edwards seemed to be shoved in the back as a cross came into the area and he was adjudged to have handled the ball which Billy Paynter converted.
The night got worse for the Shrimps when Hartlepool made it 3-0 with a well worked goal. With confidence high the home side produced a flowing move that ended with Nicky Featherstone beating Roche with a neat finish.
Morecambe made an attacking change to bring on Paul Mullin and the Shrimps ended the half on top with Rhys Tuber hitting the crossbar from close range.
The Shrimps did find the target early in the second half to bring them back into the game when Andy Fleming scored for the second game in succession when he let fly with a volley from the edge of the area that took a deflection past home keeper Trevor Carson.
Morecambe dominated the possession in the second half but struggled to get past a resolute home defence.
The first chance of any note came in the 89th minute when Fleming headed a Lee Molyneux cross just over from six yards out before the Shrimps scored a second three minutes into stoppage play when Mullin scored from close range but unfortunately time ran out.
Hartlepool: Carson, Donnelly, Nsiala, Harrison, Carroll, Hawkins, Woods (rep Laurent 82), Featherstone, Deverdics (rep Oates 72), Amond, Paynter (rep Alessandra 59). Subs not used: Bartlett, Walker, Richards, Orrell.
Morecambe: Roche, Edwards, Winnard, Jennings (rep Molyneux 65), McGowan, Rose, Murphy, Fleming, Conlan (rep Mullin 31), Ellison, Turner (rep Wildig 73). Subs not used: Nizic, Massanka, Whitmore. Wakefield.
Att: 2,996
Ref: S Stockbridge