Hereford 1 Morecambe 2

Last updated : 26 August 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Morecambe gained their second consecutive Nationwide Conference victory at Edgar Street when they beat Hereford United 2-1 in a battling rearguard action.

Morecambe were the first to have a shot on goal when Dave McKearney drove a sharp 30-yard free-kick into the arms of Matt Baker.

Hereford responded with Paul Parry breaking clear on the left before putting over a high cross which had the Shrimps racing back to clear.

Hereford should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Michael Rose put over a pin-point centre to Steve Guinan but the striker headed against the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Full-back Matt Clarke also kept the pressure on the Shrimps when he weaved his way into the box before lifting the ball over the top from 12 yards.

But it was Morecambe who took the lead when Wayne Curtis hooked the ball past Baker into the far corner of the net after 18 minutes.

Four minutes later only a fine diving save from Baker stopped Lee Elam snatching a second when he unleashed a 20-yard shot.

Tony James also came to Hereford's rescue when he dispossessed Curtis in front of goal following a 30-yard chase down the middle of the pitch.

Curtis scored Morecambe's second four minutes before the break when Stewart Drummond put the striker clear and he calmly drove the ball through the middle of defenders James and Richard Teesdale into the net.

A minute before the break Morecambe suffered a blow when McKearney was sent off by referee John Tatton of Liverpool following his second bookable offence.

After the break Hereford reverted to a 4-4-2 formation after bringing on striker John Grant and midfielder Rob Purdie to replace Robbie Sawyers and Teesdale.

The switch paid off within five minutes when Grant cut the ball back to Jamie Pitman who rifled home from 18 yards for his third goal in four games.

Morecambe were reduced to nine men ten minutes from time when substitute Danny Carlton was stretchered off following a collision with Baker in the penalty area, but he eventually returned four minutes from time.

Hereford threw everything forward but Morecambe held their ground and deservedly pinched the points