United 2 Morecambe 2
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It's five successive draws now for the Gulls and the most frustrating factor about all five is that with just a little more quality United could, and in some cases should, have won all of them. Today at Plainmoor they took the lead but always looked a little nervous at both ends of the pitch and in the end very nearly lost out to a Morecambe side that came with more attacking intent than many people predicted.
Bucks made on change to the team that drew last weekend at Notts County with Scott Rendell coming in to the attack in place of centre back Kieran Charnock as United changed formation to 4-3-3. The afternoon began with a one minute silence in respect of former United goalkeeper George Webber who passed away recently.
It was end-to-end stuff right from the start with both sides seemingly aware of how important an opening goal advantage could prove. United had a couple of sights at the visitor's goal with both Mark Ellis and Elliot Benyon sliding in at the far post on two separate occasions but both times they were inches away from making contact.
Lee Mansell had a shot deflected for a corner while at the other end Mullin had a header finish on top of Michael Poke's goal from a corner and all of this happened within the opening fifteen minutes.
A goal looked likely but when it did arrive it came out of the blue. United had a free-kick out on the left and as it was crosses into the Morecambe penalty area the referee blew his whistle, stopped play and awarded United a penalty. At the time of writing it seems as though Morecambe skipper Jim Bentley was adjudged to have pulled at Scott Rendell's shirt but whatever the reason, it seemed a brave decision. Nicky Wroe kept his cool and beat the diving Smith by sending the ball straight down the middle of the goal.
Goal: United 1 (Wroe 18 pen) Morecambe 0
Was this going to be the day where United put the last ten games to bed and secure that elusive win? Strangely, if anything, Morecambe had the better of things immediately after the penalty and it only took them five minutes to draw level. From open play a deep cross was headed back across United's goal and the visitors were allowed to pass the ball back around the edge of the area before Duffy found himself 15 yards out on the angle and his shot beat Poke just inside the far post. It was a soft goal to concede with no real challenge or pressure being put on the ball throughout the passage of play.
Goal: United 1 Morecambe 1 (Duffy 23)
Shortly after the second goal Tyrone Thompson cleared off the line for the Gulls as Morecambe turned the screw. The 4-3-3 formation was, at times, leaving few options for United's midfield trio of Nicky Wroe, Tyrone Thompson and skipper Chris Hargreaves to find a wide outlet but the effort of the players was never lacking and at the moment it is what is dragging the team through this barren spell of victories.
Half-time: United 1 Morecambe 1
A change at the break for the Gulls with Scott Rendell being replaced by Wayne Carlisle and United reverting to a 4-4-2 formation with Carlisle sitting in front of Kevin Nicholson.
The second period started in a brisk fashion and two minutes after the restart the visitors took the lead when a neat through ball found Jevons in the right channel and his low cross was met by Mullin seven yards out and the impressive forward side footed home although Poke did well to get a hand to the ball.
Goal: United 1 Morecambe 2 ( Mullin 47)
Danny Stevens was sent on for Tyrone Thompson soon after and it was a more familiar United line-up that now pressed on to try and find an equalizer. The two substitutions soon showed their worth when in the 54th minute Danny Stevens laid the ball out wide to Tim Sills who showed all the class of a crossing specialist and sent a deep cross straight onto the head of Wayne Carlisle and his header gave Smith no chance.
Goal: United 2 (Carlisle 54) Morecambe
Michael Poke had been relatively quiet up to this point but the final half hour saw the Gulls' 'keeper earn his money with a string of fine saves as Morecambe finished the match the stronger side. Wilson produced a comfortable save from Poke shortly after the equalizer but Poke made fine saves from Duffy and Jevons to keep the scores level.
Wayne Carlisle had a chance for a second goal and United's third but he was leaning back as he turned sharply seven yards out and the ball went over Smith's crossbar while Smith made a superb one handed save to deny Danny Stevens after the United winger found a yard of space ten yards out. Danny Mills was sent on to partner Tim Sills up front in place of Elliot Benyon as United did their best to try and create a final opportunity for a winning goal.
Despite these chances the bulk of the pressure was coming from Morecambe but Michael Poke was standing firm and even when not having to make saves his decision making and handling from high balls was exemplary and rightly earned him the Man of the Match award.
Final Score: United 2 Morecambe 2
This fifth successive draw and point lifts United out of the bottom two and that has to be a positive but next week a trip to 19th placed Lincoln awaits and the hosts haven't drawn a game yet this season! Something has to give.
United: Poke; Mansell, Robertson, Ellis, Nicholson, Wroe, Hargreaves, Thompson (Stevens 51), Benyon (Mills 78), Sills, Rendell (Carlisle 46). Subs not used: Bevan, Todd, Charnock, Taylor.
