A WICKETKEEPER turned goalie robbed Morecambe of a plum FA Cup tie against Lincoln on Tuesday night after an extra time thriller that went to penalties. The Shrimps thought they had secured a place in the next round when Ian Monk scored in the last minute of injury time but seconds later the Yorkshiremen grabbed an equaliser as the referee checked his watch. The breathless players rallied themselves for the penalty shoot out but with keeper Chris Marples on top form and the home fans behind them, Emley won the war after an enthralling 120 minute battle.

Morecambe's players could only watch in despair as Marples saved penalties from Mckearney, Norman and Healy to spark a pitch invasion from the home fans.

From the kick off this match was packed with drama. Kenny Mayers put Morecambe into the lead with a cracking header from a Paul Burns cross but Hurst got a foot to the ball to fire in an equaliser just before half time.

When Gary Williams came onto the wing in the 54th minute Morecambe enjoyed their best spell of the match creating a hatful of chances but neither side managed to get a deciding goal before the ref blew for extra time. When Hurst raced into space to score his second with only eight minutes remaining Emley thought they had done enough but the Shrimps dug deep to spoil the party.

Left back Kelsuke Takano was the unlikely hero when he unleashed a superb 25-yard shot that levelled the score. When Monk side-footed the ball past the keeper with just 30 seconds left on the clock the Shrimps were ecstatic as they finally sensed victory. But Emley forced a corner from the restart and Gary Marshall scored from 10 yards to pop Morecambe's bubble. It was heartbreaking after such a fantastic effort but there was an air of inevitability about the penalty shoot out as Emley kept up the pressure.

Morecambe: McIlhargey (Banks) Lowe, Takano, Mckearney, Hughes, Drummond, Burns (Monk) Healy, Ceroalo (Williams) Norman, Mayers.

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