Goals from David Tutonda and Gwion Edwards saw Morecambe run out 2-1 winners in their second derby of the weekend.
Ged Brannan’s men were looking to build on a strong performance at Accrington on Good Friday, triumphing 2-1; a result which left the Shrimps just three points outside the play-off places.
Barrow also enjoyed a Good Friday victory – winning 3-1 against struggling Grimsby to boost their promotion hopes.
Conditions were far from ideal for this pivotal clash, drizzle and an overcast sky providing a moody backdrop at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
The dull conditions were not reflected in Morecambe’s early running however, and the Reds flew into an early lead, taking the advantage after just three minutes.
A dangerous delivery from Joe Adams was scrambled behind by the Bluebirds, who failed to deal with the resulting corner.
The ball dropped to David Tutonda, and despite rarely finding himself with a sight of goal, stabbed home from close range to put the Shrimps one to the good.
Morecambe’s dream start continued, when Gwion Edwards capitalised on complacency in the visitors back line to steal the ball away from the centre-half.
One-on-one, the Welshman showed impressive composure, coolly taking the ball round Paul Farman in the Barrow goal, before slotting into an empty net to send the home support into raptures.
The visitors grew into the fixture as the first half wore on, enjoying the lions share of possession. Ged Brannan’s men continued to weather the storm, as Barrow looked to capitalise on their pressing intensity.
A low driven strike from in-form Cole Stockton on his return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium marked the best Barrow could produce, but Archie Mair produced a fine stop with his feet to ensure the Shrimps advantage was maintained.
Morecambe looked to wrestle back control as the interval approached - Edwards in particular an outlet of creativity, causing the visitors defence headaches with his ability in transition.
Both sides were restricted to half chances as the opening 45 approached its conclusion, and time was called with Morecambe leading two goals to nil.
Half-time: Morecambe 2 Barrow 0
Sensing a need to change the momentum of the fixture, Barrow made an energetic start to the second half. The Shrimps defended resolutely, and despite largely being out of possession, rarely looked threatened.
Neither side were able to carve out any clear-cut opportunities, as the hour mark came and went.
Jordan Slew fired a speculative effort wide from distance, looking for his ninth of the season, and to secure three points for Ged Brannan’s men. At the other end, Stockton lashed a rare strike over the bar under pressure from Chris Stokes, as the Bluebirds desperately searched for a way back into the game.
Nelson Khumbeni should’ve put the game to bed for the Shrimps with 15 minutes to go, a pinpoint delivery from the right met the arriving Khumbeni, who glanced his header wide with the goal gaping.
It was Jacob Bedeau next, with an opportunity to cement the result. He lost his marker at the back post, but his diving header was cleared by a panicked Bluebirds defence.
Ben Whitfield gave the visitors hope with a mere 60 seconds of normal time remaining. A melee inside the Morecambe penalty area was fired home from close range by Whitfield, igniting the away support.
A breathless conclusion saw five additional minutes called for, and a heroic defensive display from the Shrimps; last-ditch defending aplenty to quash any Barrow hopes of late drama.
After a nervous five minutes of stoppage time were played, the Mazuma Mobile Stadium roared again as the final whistle blew. Six points on Easter weekend and back-to-back victories, Morecambe’s play-off push is reignited.
Full-time: Morecambe 2 Barrow 0
Morecambe: Mair, Tutonda, Bedeau ©, Adams (Songo’o 82’), Senior, Slew, Stokes, Taylor, Edwards, Brown (Hiwula 86’), Khumbeni.
Subs not used: A. Smith, McKiernan, Larsson, C. Smith, Threlkeld.
Goals: Tutonda 3’, Edwards 11’.
Bookings: Stokes, Tutonda.
Red cards: None.
Barrow: Farman ©, Campbell, Ray, Spence, Gotts (Worrall 73’), Chester (Acquah 73’), Stephenson (Foley 60’), Telford (Newby 46’), Stockton (Proctor 80’), Feely, Whitfield.
Subs not used: Lillis, Proctor, Newby.
Goals: None.
Bookings: Campbell, Ray.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 4878 (1645 away).
