Morecambe 0 Halifax 1 MORECAMBE'S slipped to their fourth successive Conference defeat at Christie Park on Tuesday night in yet another game that turned on a dubious refereeing decision. The Shrimps were on top in a forgettable encounter with inspired Halifax 'keeper Darren Heyes about the only thing preventing them taking a first half lead. Mark Ceraolo and John Norman, playing in place of Jim McCluskie and John Coleman who were both rested for the evening, both caused problems for the visiting defence but found the 'keeper in fine form when they eventually managed to get their shots on target.
The turning point of the game came in the 65th minute. During one of many Morecambe attacks, Heyes seemed to mow down Norman as he came out to claim the ball.
There were strong appeals for a penalty from the Morecambe players and supporters but referee Mr Pike waved them away. As Halifax broke at the other end, Karl Cochrane bore down on goal and, despite the calls for offside, went on to fire past Steve McIlhargey. That seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Shrimps and they created fewer and fewer chances as the game wore on. A cross/shot from the excellent Ben Lavelle and a point-blank Robbie Armstrong header the closest to a reply. Bath City 3 Morecambe 2 THE Shrimps were hit with the classic counter-punch at the end of an incident packed game at Bath City's Twerton Park on Saturday. Jim Harvey's men were two goals down after just 24 minutes and only managed to get themselves going when the controversial sending off of midfield man Paul Comstive stirred them into action. Goals from Graham Withey in the 12th minute and Tony Adcock 12 minutes later put Bath firmly in control and they looked comfortable until the frantic action started after the interval.
Comstive was controversially sent off by refereee Mr Hawkes for his second bookable offence in the 56th minute. That proved the spark that ignited the Shrimps.
John Coleman and Jim McCluskie made way for John Norman and the excellent Ian Monk and Morecambe clawed their way back into it.
Monk's free-kick gave Norman the chance to score in the 72nd minute and five minutes from time Monk was the creator again as his cross allowed Ian Cain to volley the Shrimps level. But as the travelling Morecambe fans celebrated that remarkable come back, they were stunned by an injury time winner from the boot of Tony Adcock.
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