Goals from Nelson Khumbeni and Charlie Brown fired Morecambe to a 2-1 win over Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley to earn Ged Brannan’s side a first win in five games on Good Friday.
Nelson Khumbeni scored his first goal for Morecambe after a Ged Garner-led counter-attack saw the ball find its way to the midfielder’s feet. Charlie Brown then snook in a free-kick to double the lead and, while Lewis Shipley’s late header ensured a tense finish, the Shrimps held on for three points.
The game started slowly, with both teams trying to hold onto possession and find gaps in their opponent’s defence. Gwion Edwards showed some flashes of quality through the middle of the pitch, but the highlight of the first ten minutes was a cross from the boot of Jordan Slew that failed to find a teammate.
Just after the ten-minute mark came the first real chance when Charlie Brown, who put in a man-of-the-match performance against Gillingham last week, beat a man and cut in from the right. His shot looked to be heading into the far corner but was instead blocked by the home defence.
Accrington looked to regain their foothold in the game after that, but their two long-range shots were no trouble for Archie Mair and it was Morecambe who earned the next big chance of the game.
Nelson Khumbeni may not be the most likely player to score a header, but the midfielder rose the highest in the box from a Jake Tayor corner with his effort flying just over the bar.
Accrington offer their own aerial threat though, and Brad Hills tested Archie Mair only a few minutes later, with his glancing effort from a corner having to be tipped over the bar.
As the sun disappeared, Morecambe were on the front foot. Nelson Khumbeni’s shot from the edge of the box was powerful enough to catch fire, if not for the rain, but was well-held by Radek Vitek.
The goalkeeper couldn’t relax, however, with Ged Garner’s cheeky chip from 30 yards nearly dipping into the goal.
With five minutes left of the half, the Shrimps went forward again. Edwards picked up a pass from Slew just inside the Accrington half he drove forward and unleashed another shot from the edge of the area. Once again the effort flew over.
Half-time: Accrington Stanley 0 Morecambe 0
The pace of the game increased immediately in the second period. Nelson Khumbeni was booked for a tackle on Shaun Whalley within two minutes of the restart. Slew then led a counter forward that saw two shots blocked by the Accrington defence.
Slew has scored three times in March and looked to be the main threat here, drawing a good save out of Vitek with 51 minutes played.
The home side defended well in the opening exchanges and didn’t have to wait too long for some opportunities of their own. Connor O’Brien cut in from the left and had a shot deflected behind for a corner, with the resulting set-piece being cleared off the line after an almighty scramble.
Even so, Morecambe had been the better team in the second half and went ahead only a minute later. Another corner was dealt with, and Edwards’ ball forward found Ged Garner. The striker eased a defender away from the pass and drove forward, before cutting in and finding Nelson Khumbeni.
The midfielder had been at the heart of everything good about the Shrimps’ performance and struck a first-time shot into the top corner to score his first goal for the club and put his side ahead.
Accrington tried to find their way back into the game, but Whalley was denied at close range by diving Archie Mair after Jack Nolan’s long-range effort was blocked.
Morecambe kept up the pressure and soon took a two-goal lead. Edwards was fouled on the right side of the area and Charlie Brown curled the free-kick towards the near post. The ball skipped along the ground and somehow found its way through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net.
Accrington made a host of changes to try and get back into the game, but the Morecambe backline stood firm. Chris Stokes, playing on after picking up a knock, was on hand to cut out a dangerous Shaun Whalley pass before eventually being replaced by Yann Songo’o.
The home side were in desperation mode now and were committing men forward. Their best chance of the half came when Lewis Shipley got in down the left. His cutback caused havoc at the back and the ball bounced around the area until Mair’s saved bobbled into the path of Whalley, who could only volley wide.
Accrington did manage to set up a nervy ending courtesy of a Lewis Shipley goal with one minute of regulation time remaining. A deep cross to the back stick from the right found the full-back, who headed home.
With nine minutes of added time remaining, the time was still there to equalise.
Ged Brannan’s side weren’t content to sit back, however, and Julian Larsson - on as a sub - drew a good save from Vitek with a firmly struck volley.
Even so, the Shrimps were under pressure and a huge save from Archie Mair was required to keep out another shot from Shaun Walley.
Brad Hills was thrown for the home side and came close, with Bedeau having to clear off the line from a corner. Alex Henderson went close from a counter and the momentum was all in favour of the home side.
However, with 30 seconds remaining, Jordan Slew won a battle with Connor O’Brien, getting the defender booked and winning a free-kick which took the Shrimps up to the final whistle - and a first win in five games.
Full-time: Accrington Stanley 0 Morecambe 0
Accrington Stanley: Vitek, Mellor (Shipley, 75’), Hills, Whalley ©, Pritchard (Henderson, 75’), Gubbins, Nolan, Leigh (B Woods, 75’), Bickerstaff (J Woods, 75’), Martin, O’Brien.
Subs not used: McIntyre, Conneely, Adedoyin.
Goals: Shipley (89’)
Bookings: Gubbins, Leigh.
Red cards: None.
Morecambe: Mair, Tutonda, Bedeau ©, Garner, Senior, Slew, Stokes (Songo’o, 77), Taylor, Edwards (Adams, 87’), Brown (Larsson, 87’), Khumbeni.
Subs not used: A Smith, McKiernan, C Smith, Hiwula.
Goals: Khumbeni (56’), Brown (62’)
Bookings: Khumbeni, Tutonda.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 3420 (946 away)
