Morecambe 2 Hereford United 2

Last updated : 04 April 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Morecambe and Hereford United were forced to share the points in this tense clash between two sides eyeing the end of season play-offs.

The Bulls, who still have a faint hope of stealing the championship from Accrington Stanley, showed their mettle to twice come from behind against a determined home side.

Graham Turner's side found themselves a goal down with only three minutes on the clock thanks to an inspired finish from the Shrimps' Michael Twiss. He was helped by a woeful clearance from visiting keeper Wayne Brown whose mis-kick left him stranded yards from his line. Twiss took full advantage with a wonderful volley from all of 40 yards out to give his side a dream start.

It was a shock for the Bulls, who then settled into a rhythm and had Morecambe on the back foot for long periods.

But despite their possession they failed to create a single opening and had to rely on long-range efforts from Craig Stanley and Alex Jeannin which failed to trouble Steven Drench.

Morecambe had chances on the break with Brown making amends for his early error with a great save from Ged Brannan's low shot and a neat save from Twiss' well-struck effort.

The game then burst into life in the second half with two goals in a minute.

Danny Carey-Bertram levelled the scores four minutes in with an instinctive goal as the home defence, which was resolute for much of the evening failed to spot the danger as the ball bobbled in the area and the Bulls striker took full advantage to sneak in and poke home a poacher's goal.

A minute later however the Shrimps were ahead again. Garry Hunter was the spur with a powerful, searching run through the middle which ended with a pass out wide for Garry Thompson. The winger's cross was met by the onrushing Hunter whose header downwards was met by Danny Carlton, who slotted home his fourth goal in three games.

Hereford once again had the majority of the possession, but failed to test Drench although a shot from substitute Andy Williams dipped just inches over the bar.

But then with 13 minutes to go Graham Turner's side scored the all-important equaliser.

Substitute Stuart Fleetwood saw a curling free-kick from just outside the box superbly tipped on to the post by Drench, but once again Carey-Bertram was in the right place at the right time to stab home the loose ball and seal a point.