Morecambe earn draw at Altrincham in Jim Bentley’s first game back in charge

Morecambe battled to a 1-1 draw at Altrincham in the National League in Jim Bentley’s first game back in charge of the Shrimps.

After his appointment was announced on Sunday, it was quickly to work in the new manager’s second spell at the club, in a game that fell victim to the weather first time around in January.

Morecambe made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 in Ashvir Singh Johal’s last game in charge, with Ludi Francillette, Ben Williams and Yann Songo’o all coming back into the side.

Click here for Jim Bentley’s full post match reaction to the result that leaves Morecambe six points from safety with 17 games remaining.

Here’s the full post match press with new @Morecambefc manager Jim Bentley after the Shrimps earned a 1-1 draw at Altrincham in his first game back in charge in the National League.#UTS 🦐 | #ALTvMOR | #ShrimpsLive | @BeyondRadio pic.twitter.com/4dFJXYkZG2

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) February 4, 2026

The first notable chance of proceedings fell to Chris Popov with less than 20 seconds on the clock, who forced Luke Hutchinson into a stop with his close range strike.

Moments later at the other end of the pitch, Kahrel Reddin laid the ball off to Tylor Golden whose effort was deflected wide of the target.

Altrincham then had Jamal Blackman at full stretch to tip the ball away for a corner, before the Robins’ Jimmy Knowles charged up the pitch finding himself through on goal but Blackman came off his line to block the shot.

From a corner kick, it was Popov again who forced Hutchinson into a smart save to palm away his headed effort before Harlee Dean hit the side netting following the second corner.

It was the perfect start to the second half for Jim Bentley's men as the Shrimps took the lead in the 48th minute.

Popov was fouled 25 yards out, and up stepped Jack Nolan to curl a magnificent free-kick into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

The lead didn’t last long though and Altrincham were able to find the equaliser in the 56th minute, after a quick break down the left saw Knowles cross for Olly Crankshaw, who rode a couple of challenges before firing home.

The Shrimps thought they'd scored as Gwion Edwards' deflected shot was just cleared off the line by the Altrincham defence. 

In the closing stages, Morecambe were content to soak up the pressure and stayed tight at the back, but could have snatched all three points at the death, as Popov went down under challenge in the area, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

The Shrimps welcome Truro City to the Mazuma on Saturday in the National League.

Altrincham: Hutchinson, Grant (Cooper, 63'), Crankshaw (Weaver, 75'), Marriott, Knowles (Kirk, 75') Kosylo, Reddin, Crawford (C), Golden, Forde (Jones, 63'), Sassi

Subs not used: Fallon, Breckin, Olson,  

Goals: Crankshaw (56')

Bookings: Grant

Morecambe FC: Blackman, Payne, Dean, Francillette, Edwards (Tollitt, 71'), Azeez, Williams (McWilliams, 71'), Lewis, Songo'o (Thomas, 78'), Nolan, Popov

Subs not used: Boney, Nuttall, Fairclough, Akindileni

Goals: Nolan (48')

Bookings: Williams, Songo'o

Attendance: 2088 (484 away)