Morecambe..2 Blackpool..3 ROCHDALE may be viewing their Marsden Cup tie at Christie Park on Saturday with a little trepidation after this performance from the new-look Shrimps.

Jim Harvey's men faced a full strength Blackpool side in their first Marsden Cup game and could, some might say should, have won the battle of the seasiders in front of more than 1,600 fans.

But two goals in the last eight minutes for Blackpool turned the match on its head and left the Tangerines hot favourites to make the Marsden final.

Both sides started strongly with Ian Monk shooting low and just wide for Morecambe in the first minute and Blackpool star Tony Ellis lobbing over the bar and shooting wide in the fifth and sixth minute.

The game's first goal came in the 11th minute. Mark Ceraolo played a neat one-two with John Norman on the edge of the box before sliding the ball past Blackpool 'keeper Steve Banks.

The visitors hit back. Jason Lydiate struck the bar with a headed effort and Andy Preece crossed for Ellis who hit the post with a diving header.

The Shrimps broke away in the 20th minute when Norman's through ball ripped the Blackpool defence apart and found Ceraolo who coolly rounded the 'keeper to score his, and Morecambe's, second.

Blackpool ended the half the brighter and a 30-yard screamer from Darren Bradshaw hit the back of the net 10 minutes before the interval.

Further attacks led to a penalty for a foul by Paul West on James Quinn but his resulting spot-kick was impressively saved by Glenn Johnstone.

Ian Cain and Richard Annan were half-time substitutes for Morecambe and the game became more of a midfield battle with Morecambe's best chance falling to Ceraolo who shot just wide on 60 minutes.

The Shrimps looked in control until the 82nd minute when Blackpool equalised with a header from Quinn.

The undeserved winner came two minutes from time. A Tony Ellis shot was saved by Johnstone but Lee Thorpe was on hand to tap in the rebound.

TEAM: Johnstone, McKearney, Lavelle (Annan), West, Miller, Grimshaw, Monk, Burns, Ceraolo, Norman (Harvey), Leaver (Cain). SUBS: McIlhargey, Rushton.

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