Ash Hunter’s late second half goal earned the Shrimps a 1-1 draw with Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.
Oxford opened the scoring just before the break through Marcus Browne before Hunter’s equaliser three minutes from time meant the spoils were shared.
Morecambe started the game brightly and forced United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood into a good save when Dan Crowley tried his luck from range.
The Shrimps came close ten minutes before the break when Jensen Weir tried to bend his effort into the bottom right-hand corner, but his shot was just wide.
Five minutes before the break and the visitors tried their luck as Marcus McGuane went for glory from 25-yards, but saw the ball fly well over the crossbar.
United took the lead a minute later when Yanic Wildschut’s cross was tapped in at the back post by Browne.
Oxford came close to doubling their lead moments before the break, but Farrend Rawson was on hand to clear Cameron Brannagan’s free kick.
Half-time: Morecambe 0 Oxford United 1
Morecambe made a good start to the second half when Oumar Niasse picked on the ball on the by-line and fizzed it across the box, but it was just too heavy for debutant Pape Souaré to tap home.
The U’s came close to doubling their advantage 20 minutes from time when Marcus Browne’s low effort from the edge of the area rolled just wide.
Morecambe found the all-important equaliser three minutes from time when two second half substitutes combined as Caleb Watts fed the ball to Hunter, he cut back onto his right foot to beat Eastwood from just inside the area.
Derek Adams’ men continued to push for the winner but the scores remained level and the points were shared.
Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Gibson, Rawson, Crowley, Weir (Stockton, 52’), Bedeau (Watts, 77’), Niasse (Hunter, 77’), Shaw (Austerfield, 77’), Mayor (Souare, 52’), Simeu.
Subs not used: Smith, Delaney.
Goals: Hunter (87’).
Bookings: Mayor, Simeu, Crowley.
Red cards: None.
Oxford United: Eastwood, Long, Findlay, Moore, Brannagan, Browne, Brown, McGuane, Smyth (Bate, 90+3’), Wildschut (Joseph, 63’), O’Donkor (Murphy, 74’).
Subs not used: McGinty, Fleming, Goodrham, Anderson.
Goals: Browne (41’).
Bookings: None.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 4,260.