Mansfield 2-1 Morecambe

Both Shaun Miller and Paul Mullin saw efforts saved by Scott Shearer as the Stags completed the double over The Shrimps inside two weeks.

After a collapse from Jim Bentley’s side handed Mansfield all three points at the Globe Arena less than two weeks ago Adam Murray’s men again came from behind for victory.

This time Kevin Ellison had given the visitors the lead after just 58 seconds but goals from Matty Blair, with the aid of a deflection, and Krystian Pearce saw Mansfield turn things around after 25 minutes.

Miller then missed 10 minutes before the interval with Shearer again saving from substitute Mullin on 84 minutes to complete a miserable day for Morecambe.

Having conceded after 56 seconds seven days earlier The Shrimps were in front inside a minute at the One Call Stadium.Lee Collins’ header rebounded off Krystian Pearce and into the path of Ellison who made no mistake with a low shot from the edge of the area.

The hosts had their first real sight of goal 11 minutes in. Jamie McGuire couldn’t make proper contact with Mal Benning’s corner but his tame shot was cleared into Pearce, the ball rebounding goalwards before being hacked clear.

Mansfield were level though on the quarter hour with huge slice of luck. Blair’s shot from distance was hit into the ground with Ryan Edwards’ head helping the ball loop over Barry Roche and in.

With the wind continuing to play havoc chances were coming at both ends, Shearer just about holding onto Ellison’s right-footed shot midway through the half.

The Shrimps were behind on 25 minutes however. After Adam Dugdale had sliced a clearance for a corner Pearce rose unmarked to head home Benning’s corner from close range to complete the turnaround.

Both sides were looking shaky defensively though with the game wide open.

The next big chance was Morecambe’s with Andy Fleming expertly turning Ryan Tafazolli only to be pulled back in the area. Miller stepped up 10 minutes before the interval but saw his effort saved by Shearer diving to his left.

The Shrimps had Roche to thank for keeping the arrears at one heading into the break, the big stopper diving to his left to keep out Chris Clements’ well-struck shot from distance.

The game was a tighter affair early in the second period, Shearer holding onto Ellison’s low free-kick and Roche saving well from Benning at his near post.

Neither side really asserted their authority with the hosts increasingly content to sit on their lead. The Shrimps only had half chances though, Devitt dragging a shot wide from 25 yards.

The Irishman then saw a cross-cum-shot just about helped clear by Shearer after Chris Beardsley had drilled narrowly over for the hosts.

Morecambe’s second spot kick of the day came six minutes from time, Jack Thomas adjudged to have blocked a Devitt cross with his arm.

Mullin stepped up but his low effort down the middle was kept out by the legs of Shearer as Mansfield hung on for victory.

Mansfield: Shearer, Collins (capt), Pearce, Tafazolli, Benning, McGuire, Clements, Baxendale, Blair, Westcarr (Thomas 59), Beardsley (Lambe 77). Subs not used: Jensen, Chapman, Yussuf, Kavanagh, Alfei.

Booked: Tafazolli

Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Dugdale (capt), Edwards, Conlan, Fleming, Goodall (Wildig 82), Barkhuizen (Molyneux 71), Devitt, Ellison, Miller (Mullin 71). Subs not used: O’Hara, Kenyon, Bailey, Doyle.

Booked: Fleming

Referee: Mark Heywood

Attendance: 3,090 (98 away)