Morecambe 0 Stalybridge Celtic 0

It was a record breaking night at Christie Park on Tuesday but for all the wrong reasons. Morecambe's lowest crowd of the season saw the Shrimps notch up their first goalless draw of the season in a dull and dire and encounter. Although both clubs have nothing to play for except their pride, Stalybridge stuck eight men behind the ball, relying on the counter attack and the predatory skills of Manchester United youngster Brendan Burke.

It was a recipe for deadlock and although Burke skimmed the crossbar with a shot in the 24th minute, keeper McIlhargey was on hand to deal effectively with further strikes from Stephen Jones and Steve Charles.

Morecambe's first decent attack came courtesy of a John Norman free kick in the 26th minute but Mark Westhead tipped the effort over the bar.

In the second half the Shrimps pulled up their socks and Ian Monk and Michael Knowles came close but wasted the final strike and with the game evenly balanced Morecambe were loath to take a chance and allow Burke the gaps he needed.

In the 75th minute a Knowles cross into six-yard box saw a mad scramble in which the Shrimps had three cracks at goal, with Bignall for once not finding the back of the net.

This was not the 'beautiful game' and, as Stalybridge hung on for the draw, Morecambe and their fans grew more frustrated as the final whistle beckoned. This Saturday it's the Shrimp's fourth home game on the run as they take on Slough Town at Christie Park.

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