Morecambe’s reserves held by Bradford

Reece Webb-Foster gave the visitors the lead shortly after the hour mark before Lewis Tomlinson made sure it was honours even 10 minutes from time in the Final Third Development League - West Division fixture.

Preston loanee Jack Ryan had two early chances for The Shrimps, one bringing a sharp save from former Liverpool ‘keeper Brad Jones.

It was an opening low on clear-cut chances however as Jack Kelleher and Lewis Tomlinson both saw tame shots easily dealt with by Jones.

Ten minutes before the break Ben Hedley drilled a shot from 20 yards narrowly wide for The Shrimps before Paul Mullin tested Jones as the game continued to be played largely in the middle third.

It was Ryan who was to come closest again to breaking the deadlock in the first half however, dragging narrowly wide from the edge of the area after getting in behind.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Bradford having the first opening, Kieran O’Hara needing to rush from his goal to deny Ellis Hudson after the wide man had got the better of Shrimps skipper Tom Cowley.

Webb-Foster then fired narrowly wide before bringing a fine save from O’Hara as Bradford looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

It was no surprise when the visitors went in front on 62 minutes, having twice come close Webb-Foster fired in an unstoppable shot beyond O’Hara from 20 yards.

The goal sprung Morecambe back into life, Mullin seeing a low volley from distance saved before Ryan failed to make proper contact with a header that should have tested Jones. It was nearly two for Bradford 15 minutes from time but Dylan Mottley-Henry overran the ball as he looked to complete a fine team move and O’Hara claimed.

Tomlinson’s leveller came on 80 minutes, the young midfielder drove at the Bradford defence before firing in a shot off the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards.

Both sides came close to a winner, Ryan slicing a volley wide before Webb-Foster saw a free-kick come back off the bar.

The two sides will meet again in the Final Third Development League Cup next Tuesday in a 2pm kick-off at the Globe Arena.

Morecambe: O’Hara, Cowley (capt), Curry, Kenyon, Parrish, Tomlinson, Mullin (Bowden 69), Hedley (Dawson 81), Ryan, Kelleher (Jordan 69), Bondswell. Subs not used: Povey, Tyrer.

Bradford: Jones, Boateng, Leigh (capt), Wright, Mellor, Omolokun, Mottley-Henry (Payne 77), Devine, Webb-Foster, Lewis, Hudson. Subs not used: McBurnie, Payne, Peters, Landu.