Morecambe
2
Norman (1-0), Drummond (87)
Slough Town
1
West (1-1)
League
Attendance: 1092
Unknown
Slough Town's long jaunt to northern Lancashire ended in bitter disappointment as a late, late winner undid the Rebels on a wintry afternoon on the north-west coast.
Four days earlier, the 87th minute proved decisive as Mark West took the FA Trophy game at Boreham Wood into extra time, and a Rebels win. This time the same point in the game secured the points for Morecambe and sent Slough back south pointless despite a stirring display.
Slough started this game the brighter of the two sides — Lloyd Owusu pounced on Kenny Mayer's error after just ten seconds but was denied by a last ditch tackle from Paul Burns.
Morecambe keeper Steve Mclihargy then saved from Mark West and was beaten by Gary Abbott's header that ran just wide.
The home side though took the lead against the run of play with their first attack. Brian Healy's ball down the line found Neil Mitchell in space by the corner flag and his cross picked out the rising John Norman who headed home.
Still Slough looked on top and it didn't take long for the Rebels to claw level. Six minutes after the opener, Lloyd Owusu raced clear down the left. He centred for Mark West, who drilled home a sweet right-footed effort from 15 yards.
Morecambe started to threaten more after that, and Slough had in-form goalkeeper to thank as he dived full stretch to his left to push Stuart Drummond's low drive behind.
And right at the end of the half Milner had just the keeper ahead of him, but Wilkerson spread to block bravely at Milner's feet. The rebound fell to Healy but again Wilkerson got his huge frame in the way.
The second half by comparison was a fairly quiet affair, although very early on substitute Gary Brazil did well to cut inside Paul Burns before his dangerous cross was eventually met by Mark Fiore who miscued a shot across goal.
Drummond curled one inches wide of the left hand post in the 65th minute, but it seemed a draw was going to be the fairest result as neither side carved out any clear chances.
But just as it looked as if Slough's efforts were going to be rewarded with a point, Morecambe regained the lead with a slightly lucky winner. A corner from the right held up in the strong wind causing problems for the Slough defence, and as they tried to clear their lines, the ball dropped to Drummond who lashed home a close ranged shot.
Conceding such a late goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of a spirited Slough display, but they battled on to the end for an equaliser, unfortunately to no avail.
Four days earlier, the 87th minute proved decisive as Mark West took the FA Trophy game at Boreham Wood into extra time, and a Rebels win. This time the same point in the game secured the points for Morecambe and sent Slough back south pointless despite a stirring display.
Slough started this game the brighter of the two sides — Lloyd Owusu pounced on Kenny Mayer's error after just ten seconds but was denied by a last ditch tackle from Paul Burns.
Morecambe keeper Steve Mclihargy then saved from Mark West and was beaten by Gary Abbott's header that ran just wide.
The home side though took the lead against the run of play with their first attack. Brian Healy's ball down the line found Neil Mitchell in space by the corner flag and his cross picked out the rising John Norman who headed home.
Still Slough looked on top and it didn't take long for the Rebels to claw level. Six minutes after the opener, Lloyd Owusu raced clear down the left. He centred for Mark West, who drilled home a sweet right-footed effort from 15 yards.
Morecambe started to threaten more after that, and Slough had in-form goalkeeper to thank as he dived full stretch to his left to push Stuart Drummond's low drive behind.
And right at the end of the half Milner had just the keeper ahead of him, but Wilkerson spread to block bravely at Milner's feet. The rebound fell to Healy but again Wilkerson got his huge frame in the way.
The second half by comparison was a fairly quiet affair, although very early on substitute Gary Brazil did well to cut inside Paul Burns before his dangerous cross was eventually met by Mark Fiore who miscued a shot across goal.
Drummond curled one inches wide of the left hand post in the 65th minute, but it seemed a draw was going to be the fairest result as neither side carved out any clear chances.
But just as it looked as if Slough's efforts were going to be rewarded with a point, Morecambe regained the lead with a slightly lucky winner. A corner from the right held up in the strong wind causing problems for the Slough defence, and as they tried to clear their lines, the ball dropped to Drummond who lashed home a close ranged shot.
Conceding such a late goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of a spirited Slough display, but they battled on to the end for an equaliser, unfortunately to no avail.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Garry Smart
- 3 Paul Hardyman
- 4 Matt Stowell
- 5 Cliff Hercules
- 6 Mark Fiore
- 7 Danny Bailey
- 8 Mark West
- 9 Lloyd Owusu
- 10 Gary Abbott
- 11 Lee Randall
Substitutes
- 12 Gary Brazil
- 14 Danny Bolt
- 15 Grant Eaton