Morecambe 1 Leek Town 1 IN sweltering temperatures the Shrimps sizzled for much in their opening game of the season but at the end of the match they had burnt themselves out. Manager Jim Harvey had said in last week's Citizen that his side could do better in the attacking third of the pitch and his assessment was spot on. In a blistering first half Morecambe should have wrapped up the match with at least three of four goals, instead they fizzled out and ending up dropping two points.

There's no doubt that the Shrimps can play attractive, flowing football but unless the chances are converted into goals they will never make the football league.

Andy Grimshaw was superb marshalling the team from the midfield to put Ian Monk and Mark Shirley clear on the wings but each attack seemed to break down into nothing.

Grimshaw saw a shot fly over the crossbar, John Norman tried his luck and was off target and good goal keeping by Ray Newlands stopped Shirley and Mike Bignall from getting on the scoresheet.

The Leek defence finally broke in the 34th minute when Brian Healy threaded a long ball through to Monk. With a yard on the back four he raced on goal and when Newlands blocked his shot Bignall was on hand to fire home the rebound.

In the second half Leek picked up their game and former Burnley and Wigan striker, Wayne Biggins, looked much more dangerous.

He tested Steve McIlhargey with a couple of great long-range shots with Dean Trott looking lively inside the box.

With just seven minutes left, the predatory Trott latched onto a mistake by Tony Hughes to score a late goal as the tired Shrimps looked on.

On Saturday they travel to Hayes where Harvey will be hoping his strikeforce rediscover their taste for goals.

Renny Myers in action for the Shrimps

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