Fickle referee makes Shrimps pay penalty

Trailing 2-1 at half time, they came out will all guns blazing and pressured the Kingstonian goal.

When Justin Jackson was floored in the penalty area everyone at Christie Park was sure the referee would give the obvious penalty but he amazingly waved play on.

With the visiting keeper showing superlative form and Morecambe's forwards unable to penetrate the sound defence it was always going to go against them.

But, for effort, the Shrimps deserved at least a point. Kingstonian dominated the first half with Derek Allan heading in a Phil Wingfield corner in the 22nd minute.

The Shrimps had a bit of luck when a Darren Lyons cross swung so much it beat everyone in the box and ended up in the back of the net.

But the joy was shortlived. A long, hopefull ball upfront looked harmless enough but the back four sat back waiting for each other to make it safe which gifted a chance for the nippy David Leworthy to toe poke the ball into the net.

The second half was a different story. The Shrimps steamed forward looking for the equaliser but the giant ex-Barrow keeper, Farrelly, was on top form.

He saved a superb free kick from new boy Peter Ward and a Lyons volley was expertly blocked.

When the referee failed to give the penalty it sapped the Shrimp's belief that they could get back into this game and in the last minute a telling low shot by Jackson crossed the box and needed just a tap in but no one was there to finish it off.

Let's hope fortune goes their way on Saturday.

Two new players were welcomed to Christie Park on Saturday.

Left back Greg Brown joined the Shrimps on loan from Macclesfield. The other was a midfielder Peter Ward, who was on trial at Halifax.

Morecambe's right winger Dave Gardner has joined Altrincham and trialist Peter Holcroft has been released.

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