MAJESTIC Michael Twiss was the coolest man in Christie Park as he held his nerve to earn Morecambe a Good Friday draw with play-off rivals Exeter City.

Twiss slotted home a late penalty to make sure the Shrimps drew 2-2 - and that goal was the least that the Shrimps' playmaker deserved.

He wasn't at his best during the game - but that was largely down to Exeter's roughhouse tactics and referee Jon Moss who offered no protection against the late tackle or flying elbow.

Leeds whistler Moss is not held in the highest esteem around the Conference and both sides had to work against his peculiar decisions to provide the entertainment for a bumper holiday crowd of more than 2,100.

The Grecians had a plan not to lose - it is a long way to travel on Good Friday - and Morecambe had to battle for everything.

It was great entertainment for the fans with Danny Carlton looking lively in the opening stages but Morecambe were rocked six minutes before the break when Lee Phillips opened the scoring amid high controversy.

A sweet training ground move saw Alex Jeannin cross for Chris Todd, whose centre was turned in by Phillips.

Phillips, however, was stood virtually on the goal line and the absence of an offside flag baffled everyone.

But Morecambe drew level moments later when Carlton - put clear by Twiss - opted to pass to Garry Thompson rather than shoot.

Thompson's effort hit the post and, luckily, rebounded to Carlton who slammed home the rebound.

Wayne Curtis wasted a great chance to make it 2-1 straight after the break but allowed Paul Jones to save, while Carlton went close.

But the Shrimps were stunned when Jeannin put Exeter back in front from a few yards after Les Afful's cross.

That was a disappointment for Morecambe - but they surged forward in search of the leveller.

It seemed like the goal would not arrive for them until Twiss had a header brilliantly saved by Jones and from the resulting cross the penalty was awarded.

Lee Elam whipped the ball back in and as Twiss shaped to shoot he was wiped out by a crazy challenge from Todd.

There was no doubt about the award of the penalty or the outcome - Twiss doesn't spurn a chance like that.

And he created another chance for Morecambe to win the game in stoppage time when he found Garry Hunter.

But Scott Hiley headed his shot off the line to earn Exeter their point.

MORECAMBE: Robinson, Blackburn (Heard 72), Bentley, Kempson, Howard, Thompson (Elam 65), Hunter, Perkins (Walmsley 75), Curtis, Carlton, Twiss. Subs (not used): Swan, Sollitt.