Oxford City 1, Morecambe 1: Shrimps' lead slips away
Morecambe were denied a sixth win in seven games as a 94th minute Alfie Potter volley saw them have to settle for a point at high flying Oxford City, writes Derek Quinn.
Adam Lakeland’s side looked set for an excellent away win after Joe Garner put them ahead early in the second half but home substitute Potter produced a well struck volley with virtually the last kick of the game to give the team who started the day second in the National League North table, a share of the spoils.
Lakeland made one change to the side that beat Southport in the FA Cup with Garner coming in for the injured Ronnie Blois.
The first half was a largely forgettable affair as both sides struggled to find any fluency on the artificial surface.
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The first chance of note came on 20 minutes when a poor Myles Boney clearance gave Oxford a half chance but the keeper recovered well to deny Ellis Brown.
Morecambe’s best chance came on 33 minutes when Matty Daly ran on goal but drove his shot over the bar.
Moments later, Oxford hit back with Tyrone Marsh forcing a regulation save from Boney.
The second half was a much more exciting affair with the home side threatening in the opening seconds as Brown delivered a dangerous cross from the left which forced a superb defensive clearance from the excellent Ben Williams.
The Shrimps were also quickly out of the blocks and Garner forced Jonny Maxted into a smart save with a well-struck volley from the right hand side of the box.
Garner was soon threatening again however as he gave the Shrimps a 55th minute lead as he slid in at the far post to convert a left-wing cross from Daly.
The Shrimps then had to face an Oxford onslaught and produced some superb defending.
On 67 minutes they produced a double goal line clearance with a Josh Ashby free-kick blocked at the back post and Scott Pollock’s follow-up meeting the same fate.
With 10 minutes to go it was Lewis Leigh who provided the last ditch heroics to block Marsh's goalbound effort after a Pollock corner led to a frantic goalmouth scramble.
At the other end the Shrimps had chances to seal the game but failed to take them.
Daly forced a reflex save from Maxted with a close range effort from a left-wing cross and the same player was then given a free run on goal but looked to be caught in two minds and the chance went begging
In the 83rd minute Paul Lewis was presented with a golden chance to double the Shrimps' lead from a superb Jake Cain ball but he could only find the crossbar with his header.
The Shrimps were punished for not seeing the game out as Potter produced a fine strike from the edge of the area which went through a crowd of bodies to deny the Shrimps two points.
Oxford City: Maxted, Humphries, Ashby, Francillette, Johnson, Pollock, Tetek (McEachran 64), Marsh, Brown (Potter 74), Bateman (Smith 64), Nelson. Subs not used: Bloom, Carroll, Njogu, Kauan.
Morecambe: Boney, Coxe, Hogan, Baines, Williams, Cain (Curley 86), Lewis, Daly (Fairclough 90), Newby, Collis (Buckley-Ricketts 67), Garner (Leigh 73). Subs not used: Scales, Dobson.
Ref: T Wall.