Morecambe 1 Southport 2

Morecambe 0 Yeovil 0

OLD rivals Southport denied Morecambe a North Lancashire derby final against their neighbours from across the Lune, Lancaster City.

In a game hit by call ups to the England semi-professional squad, with Stewart Drummond and Southport's Scott Guyett both with the national squad, Morecambe went behind when Andy Fensome turned a Nourredine Maamria goal into his own net.

Garry Thompson equalised on 38 minutes, but Maamria managed to add a second half brace to seal the road to the final.

On Saturday, Morecambe had a chance to do old boy Justin Jackson and his Rushden and Diamonds team-mates a favour as they took on the club lying second in the table.

Yeovil had lead the division for much of the season, despite losing experienced manager Dave Webb to Southend in mid-season.

But the Shrimps once again showed that on their day they are well capable of living with the best sides in the division.

Jamie Murphy had a second half header cleared off the line, and former Wigan keeper Tony Pennock had his hands kept warm with a number of impressive saves.

The result allows Rushden to extend their lead at the top of the table and makes the moneybags Northamptonshire club the hot favourites to take the football league spot for next season.

That leaves the conference far more open next year, and, with discussions on the possibility of more promotion spots still on-going, it gives cause for optimism for the future.

Morecambe's remarkably busy season continues this week, with another double header.

Morecambe renew acquaintances with the M6 to the South East on Sunday, as they travel to Dagenham and Redbridge in a game delayed because of Saturday's England match.

On Tuesday, the Shrimps take the somewhat shorter journey to the West Midlands to face Nuneaton Borough.