Hayes 2 Morecambe 3

ANOTHER nailbiting finish saw Morecambe scratch three points from Saturday's game (March 8) they should have easily won.

Two nil up and coasting, the Shrimps looked destined to concede victory yet again when Hayes pulled one back and then equalised with 11 minutes on the clock.

But this time it was Morecambe who grabbed a last-gasp winner which secured their second league win of 1997 and put them back into the top six.

"When they pulled two goals back I thought here we go again!" said manager Jim Harvey after the match.

"We have played better but it's all about scoring goals and that's what we did today."

The Shrimps first half goals came within a minute of each other. Jim McCluskie picked up on a rebounded shot from Mark Shirley in the 23rd minute to hammer home his first goal since October.

Michael Knowles unexpectedly scored his first of the season when he swung in a cross towards the goal which caught keeper Meara out of position and ended up in the back of the net.

Only a superb sliding tackle by Goodliffe robbed McCluskie of a second goal on the stroke of half time but after such a good early spell the Shrimps settled back into complacency and were caught out by a Cox through ball which Randall picked up to fire home.

With just a one goal deficit Hayes doggedly advanced on the Morecambe line for the equaliser. Their determination got the better of Gary Williams who lashed out at Paul West following a row about a challenge on McIlhargey and he was given his marching orders.

This only seemed to refire Hayes into action and when substitute Haynes tumbled in the area the referee controversially pointed to the spot when the linesman had signalled for a corner. Up stepped Goodliffe to make no mistake and it seemed Morecambe would have to hang on for the draw.

Then in the 88th minute Mark Shirley steamed down the left flank and floated in a cross that was met by the head of John Norman who finished off the home side.

Team: McIlhargey, Knowles, McKearney, West, Hughes (Hodgson) Healy, Burns, Grimshaw, McCluskie (Williams) Norman, Shirley..

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