Late leveller denies Morecambe chance to move out of National League relegation zone

A 96th minute equaliser by Braintree Town denied Morecambe the chance to move out of the National League relegation zone at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Victory would have lifted Morecambe out of the bottom four for the first time since August 30, with eight games of the season remaining, but after getting in front five minutes from time from the penalty spot, the Shrimps were pegged back right at the death.

The Shrimps made two changes for the game, following a 5-0 victory away at Sutton United last Saturday, with Miguel Azeez and Lewis Payne coming into the starting line up for Tim Akindileni and Mo Sangare.

Click here to watch the post match reaction from manager Jim Bentley.

Here’s the @MorecambeFC manager Jim Bentley’s reaction after the Shrimps conceded in stoppage time to draw 1-1 with Braintree in the National League to miss to chance to move out of the relegation zone for the first time since August 30th.#UTS 🦐 | #BRAvMOR | #ShrimpsLive… pic.twitter.com/AUkxZHcXw3

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) March 14, 2026

In a tightly contested affair, Morecambe had the best of what clear chances there were, with Chris Popov missing two good opportunities – one when visiting goalkeeper Mason Terry pulled off a smart stop from six yards out following a cross from Gwion Edwards, and another where he shot across the face of goal after a smart pull back from Paul Lewis.

At the other end, Jamal Blackman reacted well to repeal a fierce effort from Massiah-Edwards.

In the second half, Morecambe kept up the pressure but clear chances were again hard to come by, the best to Popov again inside the last ten minutes, after sub Dan Ogwuru slipped him in, but the striker was met with a superb stop one on one by Terry to deny him the opener.

📽️ Comm Cam

Myself and @CassBen1 give our on-the- whistle thoughts after a late, late equaliser denies Morecambe all three points over Braintree and the chance to move out of the National League relegation zone, for @BeyondRadio.

I thought we looked a bit leggy. Disappointment… pic.twitter.com/hrkAfFMLug

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) March 15, 2026

The Shrimps then had a golden opportunity to win the game late on. A mazy run from substitute Mo Sangare saw the midfielder upended in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and up stepped Jack Nolan to smash home his 16^th goal of the season from 12 yards.

However, just as it looked like Morecambe would claim all three points, Braintree struck in the dying moments. Deep into stoppage time, a corner wasn’t cleared at the back post, and goalkeeper Terry, up from the back, laid the ball into the path of Lewis Walker, who rifled the ball into the back of the net for a heartbreaking equaliser.

Morecambe remain in the National League relegation zone, two points from safety, ahead of a trip to Yeovil Town on Saturday.