Morecambe earn battling point at Hartlepool in National League

Morecambe recovered from conceding an early goal to earn a deserved point on the road at Hartlepool in the National League on Tuesday night.

The Shrimps made three changes for the game to the side that started last time out 10 days ago against Eastleigh, with Ben Tollitt, Admiral Muskwe and Emerson Sutton coming in for Gwion Edwards, Joe Nuttall and Jack Nolan.

Adam Campbell broke the deadlock after just three minutes to give the Pools the lead, following a mix up on the edge of the Morecambe penalty area. The ex-Shrimps’ midfielder capitalised to sweep the ball into an empty net from 15 yards.

The Morecambe defence came under more pressure on 20 minutes, as Jamal Blackman denied a Danny Johnson effort at full stretch after the forward was played in inside the area.

Morecambe came close to an equaliser in the 28th minute when Emmerson Sutton – starting in a Morecambe shirt for the first time after his loan move from QPR - found an unmarked Elijah Dixon-Bonner in the box and his volley smashed the outside of the post.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee as Morecambe claimed a handball inside the area just on the half time whistle.

The Shrimps equalised five minutes after half time from the penalty spot.

Admiral Muskwe was brought down in the box and the striker stepped up and made no mistake in slotting it home into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Then, a fantastic opportunity to take the lead fell to Ben Tollitt in the 67th minute after Miguel Azeez squezed a lovely pass through the middle of the park into his path, but his curling effort was just wide of the far post.

As the game reached stoppage time, Pools substitute Alex Reid found space in the Morecambe area, but his effort was blocked excellently by the legs of Blackman, before Lewis Payne bravely blocked the rebound at full stretch to preserve a point for Ashvir Johal’s men.

The Shrimps host Sutton United on Saturday at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Hartlepool United FC: Evans, Benn, John, Kouogun, Francis, Johnson, Campbell, Sheron (C), Hunter, Topallaj, Daly.

Goals: Campbell 03'

Bookings: Benn 55'

Morecambe FC: Blackman, Payne, Kacurri, Francillette, Azeez (C), Cain (Songo'o 80'), Muskwe, Williams (Sesay 90+4') Tollitt, Sutton (Nuttall 80'), Dixon-Bonner (Aarons 80').

Subs not used: Mair, Raikhy, Nolan.

Goals: Muskwe 50'

Bookings: Muskwe 54'

Attendance: 3122 (85 Away)