Match Report: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Morecambe
THE Shrimps produced another solid performance to pick up an excellent point against high flying Doncaster.
Against a side who had won their last five league games and been scoring goals for fun the Shrimps defended superbly to maintain their unbeaten start to 2017.
Boss Jim Bentley made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Carlisle in the Shrimps' last outing as Alex Whitmore came in for the suspended Dean Winnard.
The Shrimps started the game well and thought they had opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Michael Rose swung in a free kick from the right that ended up in the back of the net but saw the slightest of touches from an offside Morecambe payer and the goal was disallowed.
Morecambe’s pressure paid off as they took the lead on 24 minutes through skipper Murphy. A left wing Rose corner was cleared to the edge of the area and Murphy seized the opportunity to pick up the loose ball and curl a superb left foot effort past Ian Lawlor.
Doncaster had their chances though as they showed their qualities going forward. Connor Grant saw an effort cleared off the line by Ryan Edwards after an initial Barry Roche save and the Morecambe keeper had to be at his best again to make a stunning block from Andy Williams’s near post effort.
Williams twice failed to make the most of good openings and James Coppinger shot straight at Roche as the home side pushed forward.
Rovers also had a goal disallowed for offside as Marquis made his move too late and was flagged offside before slotting past Roche.
Doncaster's pressure continued in the second half and Darren Ferguson’s side finally breached the Morecambe defence on 56 minutes when Marquis produced a cool side foot finish to beat Roche from eight yards out after a low cross from Coppinger.
Doncaster stepped up a gear and continued to throw bodies forward and create chances. Tommy Rowe headed a Coppinger cross over fro close range and Jordan Houghton also failed to find the target from a similar position.
Despite being on the back foot for long periods Morecambe had a late chance when the ball fell to Rhys Turner in the box but his snapshot was well blocked by Lawlor.
The Shrimps had to endure six minutes of injury time but they maintained their strong defensive shape to pick up a deserved point.
Doncaster: Lawlor, Mason, Butler, Baudry, Blair, Houghton (rep Middleton 90), Grant, Rowe, Williams (rep Mandeville 66), Coppinger, Marquis.
Subs not used: Etheridge, Wright, Alcock, Keegan, Beestin.
Booked: Butler, Mason, Baudry.
Morecambe: Roche, Whitmore, Edwards, Kenyon, McGowan, Rose, Murphy, Molyneux, Wildig (rep Evans 72), Mullin (rep Turner 72), Ellison.
Subs not used: Nizic, Jordan, Wakefield, Conlan.
Yellow cards: Edwards.
Att: 6,096.