Aldershot Town 0 Morecambe 1

Last updated : 21 October 2006 By Footymad Previewer
A bizarre own goal by Curtis Osano on the stroke of half-time deservedly gave the Shrimps all three points in an absorbing encounter at the Recreation Ground.

Their win extends Morecambe's recent record to four wins in the last six games, pushing Sammy McIlroy's men further into play-off contention.

The opening exchanges produced little of any note. Last week's hat-trick hero Marcus Gayle forced his way into the starting line-up at the expense of Joel Grant.

Mark Molesey returned to the team for his first game since August having recovered from a back problem.

He replaced Louis Soares, who has looked out-of-sorts since extending his contract recently.

The Shrimps made only one change from the draw with Exeter as Adriano Rigoglioso returned from being on loan with Forest Green to replace James Bentley.

While the first half lacked many serious threats, both sides did not lack attacking calibre.

The Shots' lack of incision was in part down to their 4-3-3 formation as, without that extra number in midfield, the full-backs lacked confidence to push forward.

Morecambe for their part had experience and guile across the field. David Perkins and Michael Twiss were adept at getting the most out of their possession and their formation with Fraser McLachlan protecting the defence offered few opportunities to get in behind them.

The first chance fell to the in-form of Gayle in the 18th minute. Ryan Williams crossed from deep on the right and the former Wimbledon striker contorted his body to head into the top left-hand corner from 12 yards.

His effort lacked any real power and Steven Drench was able to tip the ball over the bar with a degree of comfort.

Morecambe responded moments later as Aldershot failed to clear their lines and Rigoglioso fired from six yards, but Nikki Bull reacted brilliantly from point-blank.

In the 45th minute Molesey appeared to cap a lively first-half performance with a goal. The former Hayes midfielder controlled the ball first time on the left and fired low into the corner, but while the net bulged the ball was on the wrong side of the goal.

In the final seconds of injury time Morecambe took the lead. Rigoglioso crossed from the right but could only find Osano, who had time and space at the back post.

He appeared caught in two minds as he tried to head to Bull but instead lobbed him neatly nestling the ball into the top right-hand corner.

In the second half Morecambe seemed happy to sit back and protect their lead.

However, they fashioned the first serious goal threat in the 58th minute with an exquisite six-man move that started in their own half and covered both sides of the pitch.

David McNiven, on for the injured Danny Carlton, latched on to the through ball from Twiss and fired low into the corner from 16 yards, but Bull somehow managed to claw the ball around the post to thwart a certain goal.

From the resulting corner he reacted well to Chris Blackburn's acute drive to keep the Shots in the game.

In the 68th minute McNiven muscled his way past Edwards again, but this time his left-footed effort flew inches wide of the right post.

In the last ten minutes Drench made an excellent double save from Joel Grant and Lee and then Michael Howard cleared an Edwards effort off the line to ensure the Shrimps had an enjoyable trip back up the M1.