Bedlington Terriers 1 Morecambe 3

BATTLING Morecambe recovered from the shock of an early goal to fight their way into the first round of the FA Cup.

A trip into the unknown in the North East always looked a potential stumbling block for the Shrimps hopes of repeating last season's thrilling FA cup trip to Oxford.

And the loss of Steve Walters early on made the task look even tougher for Jim Harvey's young charges.

Local hero John Milner put Bedlington ahead inside 10 minutes when he nodded home a cross from Tony Chapman.

Milner, a scoring sensation for Bedlington and one of the most respected strikers in the North-East semi-professional scene, missed badly just before the half hour, allowing the visitors the chance to get themselves back on terms.

Young centre half John Hardiker, playing some of the best football since he broke into the Morecambe first team, was the man who scored it.

He turned in a cross from another exciting prospect, Ryan-Zico Black, on 29 minutes.

Morecambe always looked the more likely winners from then on and, with half time approaching, it was left to Gary Thompson to put the away side one step closer to the first round.

Thompson, played out of position as a striker, picked up the ball on the edge of the are and hit a rocket of a shot which almost burst the net.

The second half saw chances galore at both ends, with the lively Milner always looking the most likely source of a Bedlington equaliser.

However, Adriano Rigoglioso and returning midfield ace Michael Knowles, back from a stint as a coach in the USA, both going close.

But it was Black who had the final word. John Norman's 20 yard rocket rattled the post and the Northern Ireland youngster was on hand to turn it in and add to his growing reputation.

But, while the performance gave satisfaction, the first round draw did not.

It paired the Shrimps with fellow Conference strugglers Forest Green Rovers.

Morecambe will be getting pretty familiar with the route to the tiny Gloucestershire village, as it is also their destination this Saturday when the two sides play in the conference.

The FA cup action takes place on November 18.