Morecambe secure big three points at Wealdstone in National League

Morecambe cut the gap to safety in the National League to six points with ten games of the season to play after a 3-2 victory at Wealdstone.

Manager Jim Bentley made two changes to the side that started against York on Saturday, with Yann Songo’o in for the suspended Paul Lewis, and Harlee Dean preferred in defence to Tim Akindileni.

A fast start to proceedings for Wealdstone saw the hosts take the lead inside three minutes.

Junior Tiensia drove down the left-hand side, he was brought down by Lewis Payne who was shown a yellow card. The free kick was then put into the area, an initial header was saved by Jamal Blackman, but the rebound was turned home by Oluefla Olamola to put the Stones ahead.

The Shrimps were struggling to get much of a foothold in the game as the first half progressed, with just a Mo Sangare effort from distance held Dante Baptiste.

With the hosts on top, Morecambe found a leveller ten minutes before half time. A Miguel Azeez effort was deflected for a corner, and from that Jack Nolan inch perfect delivery was headed powerfully towards goal, with Chris Popov getting the final touch to divert it into the net, for his seventh goal in ten games since joining on loan from Leicester.

Then, Blackman was there to keep the scores level when Olufela Olomola saw a clear sight of goal but the 'keeper was there to make a fantastic save down to his left.

On the stroke of half-time, Morecambe took the lead, as Mo Sangare picked up the ball deep into the Stones' half, and he found Jack Nolan who cut inside and unleashed a powerful drive into the bottom corner from twenty yards out.

After half time, an early chance fell the way of the Stones, after a ball was floated into the box, only for Dylan Kadji to head over the crossbar, before the Shrimps doubled their lead 13 minutes after the restart.

Yann Songo’o did superbly to retain possession in the middle of the park and laid in Azeez, who played a cute through ball for Nolan to race clear, round the goalkeeper and tap into an empty net for his 12^th goal of the season.

Former Morecambe loanee Elijah Dixon-Bonner smashed a free kick over the bar, before Wealdstone found their second in the 72nd minute through Micah Obiero.

Sub Sak Hasan put a cross put into the box that wasn't dealt with and it was tapped home from close range.

Wealdstone had the chance to equalise in the 85th minute but a strong diving save from Jamal Blackman denied them.

Late on, Lewis Payne was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

But despite late pressure and almost seven minutes of stoppage time, the Shrimps held on for a vital victory, ahead of a trip to Sutton United on Saturday.