MORECAMBE'S FA Trophy campaign got off to a stuttering start against Burscough on Saturday.
The Unibond League side held the Shrimps on Saturday, and the bitter conditions around the area meant that Tuesday's replay had to be called off.
The Trophy may seem like a consolation prize after the glory days of the FA Cup, but for the likes of Morecambe it's a chance to win some silverware and earn some more cash on the road to the final at Villa Park.
Saturday started badly for the Shrimps as Robbie Talbot put the home side ahead within ten minutes on a pitch more suitable for ice skating than football.
But Jim Harvey's side showed the battling qualities which have served them well this season and built up a comfortable lead.
Ryan-Zico Black hit back on 13 minutes when he turned a Gary Thompson cross in.
A sweet free kick by Andy Lyons allowed John Hardiker to nod in a second, and the game appeared to be won early in the second half when Mark Quayle hit home a deserved third.
But Burscough showed that they were fighters too. They were also helped by an enforced re-organisation in the Shrimps' defence.
Matt Farell put his side back in the game just five minutes later and, with time running out, Chris Wilde shocked the visitors with an equaliser to take the game back to Christie Park.
The eventual winners of this tie must travel to face Evesham on February 3 in the next round.
Morecambe face another team of FA Cup battlers to Christie Park when Dagenham and Redbridge arrive on Saturday.
The Essex club were due to face the mighty Charlton in a hard-earned replay on Wednesday night, so they could be on the crest of a wave or suffering from a cup hangover by the weekend.
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