Morecambe 1 Welling 2

A DEBATABLE offside decision robbed Morecambe youngster Gary Williams of a spectacular last gasp equaliser at Christie Park on Saturday. Playing his home debut, the 17-year-old from Burnley let fly with a 20 yard strike which should have given the Shrimps a well deserved draw. But for an inspired performance by Welling keeper, Glen Knight, Morecambe should have won at a canter but defeat at the hands of one of the league's less fashionable clubs is becoming a habit.

Morecambe were depleted, starting without Norman, Knowles and Grimshaw, but they did not make it easy for themselves and wayward shooting was largely to blame.

It only took 10 minutes for the Shrimps to fall behind. A deep free kick connecting with big defender Paul Copley to head home.

Seven minutes later Welling shot themselves in the foot when Horton headed in an own goal from a Mark Shirley cross and it looked like Morecambe would cruise to a comfortable win having got over the early setback.

Both Jim McCluskie and Mark Ceraolo had two chances each to put the Shrimps into the lead. The valiant Knight was on hand to thwart each attack, turning away an Ian Monk volley and then making safe a Ceraolo shot on goal.

As the game continued it looked very much like one of those days and when Jamaican international Dennis scored in the 84th minute and the late substitute Williams saw his superb effort ruled as offside, those fears were confirmed.

The recent results have been poor but if Morecambe can start to finish the chances that they create then there will be much more to celebrate.

Team: McIlhargey, Burns, Leaver, Rushton, Hughes, Healy, Monk, McKearney (Grimshaw) Ceraolo (Norman) McCluskie (Williams) Shirley.

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