Morecambe 2 Hartlepool United 3: Shrimps surrender another winning position
Morecambe’s hopes of National League survival were dealt a huge blow as they suffered a second successive 3-2 defeat on Wednesday.
Two late Alex Reid goals gave Hartlepool three points after Jack Nolan had fired the Shrimps into a 2-1 lead on the hour.
It means Morecambe, who have now dropped 27 points from a winning position this season, are six points from safety with as many games to go.
They started brightly with Daniel Ogwuru heading over before Hartlepool hit back with Jamal Blackman keeping out an effort from Charlie Caton.
Ogwuru was denied by a fine Nick Hayes save on 22 minutes but, from the resulting corner, Morecambe took the lead as Gwion Edwards scored from the edge of the area.
That advantage lasted just 11 minutes as Caton was in the perfect place to take advantage of an attempted Harlee Dean clearance.
Hartlepool were denied the lead minutes later when Reid hit the post before the Shrimps responded with Timmy Akindilene and Edwards both going close.
The game’s end-to-end pattern continued in the second half with Caton’s long-range volley testing Blackman seconds after the restart.
Moments later, Chris Popov once again failed to convert from two yards after being teed up perfectly by Lewis Payne.
He missed a second chance moments later before Tyrese Sinclair hit the crossbar at the other end from a swift counter-attack.
Nolan regained the lead for the Shrimps with his 18th goal of the season, volleying past Hayes after Miguel Azeez’s shot was blocked.
However, their inability to see out a game haunted them again as Hartlepool drew level in the 75th minute as Reid slid home after poor defending from Payne allowed Sinclair to cross.
They then took the lead in the 87th minute after the unmarked Reid turned in Cameron John’s cross.
There was still time for more drama at the death as John somehow made a goalline clearance to keep out Ben Tollitt’s shot.
Morecambe: Blackman, Dean, Hogan, Akindilene (Tollitt 84), Payne (Fogarty 78), Azeez (Thomas 74), Lewis, Edwards (Jameson 89), Nolan, Popov, Ogwuru (Sangare 72). Subs not used: Boney, Songo’o.
Hartlepool United: Hayes, Benn, Kougoun, Hunter, John, Sheron, Miley, Daly (Campbell 80), Sinclair, Caton (Folarin 80), Reid (Oliver 88). Subs not used: Smith, Johnson, Walker, Okoke.
Referee: Matthew McQuillan.
Attendance: 2,565.