Karlan Ahearne-Grant’s 93rd minute equaliser cancels out Callum Lang’s 91st minute goal to snatch a point at the death at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
Jim Bentley named 2 changes to the side that lost at Accrington midweek. Sam Lavelle replaced the injured Steven Old (knee) and Andrew Fleming came into the midfield 5 to partner Michael Rose.
After a nervy start to the game Morecambe began creating opportunities through Gregg Wylde cutting in from the right wing, testing Glenn Morris twice in the first 15 minutes.
Kevin Ellison spotted the Crawley goalkeeper off his line after regaining possession and tried his luck from 40 yards, seeing his shot pull just wide.
Crawley grew into the game and created chances of their own going close in the 20th minute after Mark Randall’s corner was met by Josh Payne. The midfielder’s header fell to Jimmy Smith who’s half volley was well saved by Barry Roche after taking a deflection off Andrew Fleming.
Morecambe had the best chance of the half on 39 minutes when Michael Rose’s long throw was flicked on by Sam Lavelle. Adam Mcgurk was at the back post to head just wide.
Crawley played with more fluidity in the second period. Jimmy Smith having his shot from 15 yards parried by Roche just 2 minutes after the break.
The Shrimps played some nice football through the middle third and had shots from outside the penlty area through Adam McGurk, Gregg Wylde and Aaron McGowan but it was Crawley who created the more clear cut chances. Jimmy Smith again getting free in the penalty area to fire over from Enzio Boldewijn’s cut-back.
Morecambe almost took the lead in the 85th minute when Andrew Fleming picked up a loose ball and curled one from 25 yards. His effort came back off the underside of the crossbar and Adam McGurk was onto the rebound but was flagged for offside.
As the game entered stoppage time substitute Callum Lang latched onto Aaron McGowan’s header and got between Crawley’s centre-half. He went through on goal and lifted the ball brilliantly over the sprawling Glenn Morris to send the travelling supporters into uncontrollable celebrations as Morecambe looked to have nicked it at the death.
The celebrations were short lived though. Dannie Bulman got free in the Morecambe penalty area to flash the ball across the face of Morecambe’s goal. Karlan Ahearne-Grant was at the back post to get the decisive touch and earn Crawley what turned out to be an unlikely point.
Despite the disappointment of conceding so late in a game that looked to be won, the result does see Morecambe move another point away from the Relegation zone giving Jim Bentley’s side a 6 point cushion with superior goal-difference.