MORECAMBE stay fifth in the Conference after a useful 1-1 draw at Barnet's Underhill stadium.

The Shrimps remain in the promotion play-off places, but could have closed in on the leaders after being on top for most of the game.

Morecambe now have two games next week in which to make amends.

On Saturday, Leigh RMI are in town for a Northwest ' derby' while Morecambe once again travel to Scarborough for a midweek game - who programmes that fixture computer?

In Saturday's action Lee Elam took just 15 minutes to continue his sparkling goal scoring run with a strike on 14 minutes when Neil Uberschaar combined superbly with the in-form Stewart Drummond who put the former Southport winger through.

Elam's goals are often spectacular and his finish - a pinpoint lob from the edge of the area - made this latest effort no exception.

Wayne Curtis almost scored an impressive second when he latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area, but desperate Barnet defending scrambled the ball off the line.

At he other end, pacy striker Junior Agogo was causing problems for the Morecambe defence, and forced keeper Craig Mawson to be on his toes, but, for the most part, Morecambe played the better football on the famous Underhill slope.

However, experienced midfielder John Doolan scored an excellent equaliser from long range on the half-hour with which Mawson had no chance.

The second half saw two well-balanced sides put in dogged performances, though neither seemed to be in any danger of troubling the scoreboard staff.

The always-lively Elam could have done better with a shot that was well saved by the Barnet keeper, while Agogo and former Tottenham youngster Mark Gower went close for the Bees.

However, Morecambe's second visit to Underhill ended with Jim Harvey's side claiming a their first point there.