Morecambe 3 Crawley Town 1: Shrimps take the points from an end-to-end encounter

Seven days on from the breathless victory against Salford City, Derek Adams’ players emerged victorious from a highly entertaining, end-to-end encounter.

Ashley Nadesan had cancelled out Stockton’s early effort but Mendes Gomes’ second-half strikes gave the Shrimps three points.

Adams made five changes to the Morecambe side beaten last time out at Mansfield Town.

Mark Halstead was recalled in goal, while Ryan Cooney, Stephen Hendrie, Jordan Slew and Brad Lyons were also handed starting berths.

They had a dream start by taking the lead in the fifth minute.

Mendes Gomes’ ball behind the defence was gathered by Slew, and with the Crawley players and management team appealing for offside, he backheeled it for Stockton to fire home.

Halstead was called into action moments later to block Tom Nichols’ effort but wasn’t so fortunate in the 13th minute.

An excellent crossfield ball to Jordan Maguire-Drew saw him cut inside, and though Halstead pushed out his shot, Nadesan was first to the loose ball and tapped home.

He should have scored again three minutes later following Harry Davis’ error but, on this occasion, lobbed the keeper and the crossbar.

The chances kept coming as Stockton met a near post cross but his header flashed across goal and wide.

Just past the half-hour and the Shrimps were forced into an early change when Lyons was stretchered off after a collision with Nichols.

Though both sides continued on the front foot, the visitors looked sharp up front with the impressive Maguire-Drew curling an effort over from the corner of the box before the break.

The second half continued in the same vein with Crawley’s Joe McNerney heading a corner straight at Halstead inside the opening minute.

Halstead made a more routine stop from Maguire-Drew before the Shrimps countered with Slew’s through ball narrowly ahead of Mendes Gomes.

He enjoyed better fortune just before the hour, turning home Hendrie’s cross after he had been released by Slew.

The Shrimps could have extended their lead with three efforts at goal in a matter of seconds.

Stockton volleyed wide and flashed another effort off target from the edge of the area, though Mendes Gomes came closest with a close-range strike against the woodwork.

Crawley made a double change, one that almost paid off instantly with substitute James Tilley heading wide.

Back came the Shrimps as a five-man move ended with John O’Sullivan’s shot being beaten away by the keeper.

Morecambe struck the woodwork again through Stockton, who also sent a fierce shot over the bar and after being found by Cooney.

Victory was wrapped up on 88 minutes when Stockton’s shot was parried and Mendes Gomes tapped home.

Morecambe: Halstead, Cooney, Davis, Lavelle, Hendrie (Gibson 84), Lyons (O’Sullivan 34), Songo’o, Slew, Wildig (Diagouraga 75), Mendes Gomes, Stockton. Subs not used: Letheren, Mellor, McAlinden, Denny.

Crawley Town: Morris, Francomb, McNerney, Tunnicliffe, Tsaroulla (Wright 65), Powell, Hessenthaler (Frost 77), Maguire-Drew, Hesketh (Tilley 65), Nadesan, Nichols. Subs not used: Nelson, Davies, Sesay.

Referee: Oliver Langford.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here