REPORT: Wanderers v Morecambe

Wanderers ended a night of frustration with a last-gasp equaliser as super-sub Jon Dadi Bodvarsson struck again to rescue what could yet be a priceless point.

The Whites looked as though they would be made to pay the price for missing early chances and gifting Morecambe a half-time lead.

But even though their winning home run ended at six games, Ian Evatt’s men showed the spirit and resolve to hit back and level in injury time as Bodvarsson made it two in two to further endear himself to the Wanderers’ faithful.

Wanderers dominated possession as they battled to keep their play-off push in forward gear with a possible 10th win in 13 games.

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But an electric start failed to earn them a lead and Morecambe – fighting for their lives at the other end of League One – then got what they wanted when Cole Stockton gave them a lead to hold onto.

With men behind the ball the Shrimps looked as though they would hold on but Wanderers’ pressure finally paid when Bodvarsson rammed the ball home to earn deservedly earn some reward and avoid a first home defeat since early January.

Wanderers – with Amadou Bakyoko back in the starting line-up following another dramatic late equaliser in the first meeting between the two sides – started where they had left off in winning at Gillingham on Saturday as they went in search of an early goal.

And it should have come with barely five minutes gone.

A superb move which prised open the Morecambe back line saw Dapo Afolayan’s low cross laid off by Declan John for Dion Charles whose radar was off as he steered his attempted finish wide of the target.

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The Shrimps were intent on throwing up a row of red shirts to try and limited Wanderers’ attacking space and play on the counter-attack.

But with Ricardo Almeida Santos a magnificent sentry at the back for the Whites, the chances continued to come Wanderers’ way.

With 20 minutes gone Bakayoko picked out Charles, who thundered a shot against the underside of the bar,

And Bakayoko was then only inches wide with an effort of his own as he slid in to meet John’s excellent low cross.

Wanderers dominated possession as they tried to find a way through to break the deadlock.

But with frustration growing and tensions simmering Morecambe saw manager Derek Adams receive a booking before out of nothing grabbing the lead four minutes before half-time.

George Johnston’s attempted back-pass to James Trafford was too short and when Adam Phillips pinched the ball he was able to cross for Stockton to tap into an empty net and claim his 22nd goal of the season.

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Wanderers had lost some of their own composure and in a nervy start to the second half the sides traded chances with Aaron Morley curling a free-kick just past the post before Stockton fired a cross from the lively Dylan Connolly straight at Trafford.

Morecambe – whose penalty appeal for a foul by Santos mirrored Wanderers’ first-half shot for a pull on Bakayoko – attempted to run down the clock at every opportunity but openings were starting to come for Wanderers as Afolayan saw a deflected effort pushed past the post by Trevor Carson.

With 25 minutes to go, Evatt sent on Kieran Sadlier to try and add an extra cutting edge and followed it shortly afterwards with the introduction of Bodvarsson.

But with 10 Morecambe men behind the ball it was tough going to try and eke out any real chances.

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Wanderers forced a succession of corners without making one pay as the Shrimps closed in on a first away league win since November.

But one last push finally worked the oracle as a 13th and final corner was recycled with substitute Xav Amaechi pulling the ball back for Bodvarsson to show his predatory instincts by coolly slotting the ball home from eight yards to spark relief and celebrations in equal measure.

Wanderers: Trafford; Aimson, Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Williams (Sadlier 67), Morley, John; Afolayan (Amaechi,83); Bakayoko (Bodvarsson 72), Charles. Substitutes: Dixon, Thomason, Baptiste, Gordon.

Booked: None

Morecambe: Carson; McLoughlin, O’Connor, Bennett (Cooney 65), Bedeau, Gibson (Leigh HT); Diagouraga, Phillips, Wildig (Fane 13), Connolly; Stockton. Substitutes: Smith, Obika, Ayunga, McCalmont.

Booked: Gibson, Connolly, Bedeau, Stockton.

Referee: Chris Sarginson

Attendance: 14,559 (Morecambe 885)

Read Time: 4 mins