Morecambe 5 Burton 0

Last updated : 26 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Morecambe clinched the Conference runners-up spot with a scintillating victory over Burton Albion.

The Shrimps scored five and could have added many more had it not been for some fine saves from visiting keeper Matt Duke.

The home side, who had lost just once at home all season, looked intent on adding to that record from the start.

They almost took the lead after just 55 seconds when top scorer Wayne Curtis was through on goal but denied not for the only time in the afternoon by the hardworking Duke.

A frantic opening continued with Burton almost scoring as well in the opening stages when Christian Moore curled an effort wide from the edge of the box when he may have been better crossing to the far post.

But the action continued with Morecambe breaking free once more and taking the lead in only the fourth minute. Garry Thompson raced to the by-line and drilled in a low cross which was sidefooted home by Lee Elam.

On ten minutes, Duke was forced to make another fine save and then almost became a surprise goal hero with a long clearance that bounced over the head of Morecambe keeper Craig Mawson but landed just wide of the left-hand post.

That proved to be a rare scare, however, for Morecambe who added a second on 29 minutes. It was something of a gift as Burton defender Terry Henshaw's back header was too far for Duke to collect and Curtis nipped in to score.

Two minutes later, Duke made another superb save but was beaten on 38 minutes by a Jim Bentley header that was cleared off the line by Paul Talbot.

Bentley was not to be denied for long however and made it 3-0 on 39 minutes when he headed home Ryan-Zico Black's left-wing cross.

The pattern continued at the start of the second half when Duke saved bravely at the feet of Thompson, who looked set to score after another flowing Morecambe move.

The pace of the game dropped somewhat before Morecambe stepped up the pace once more in the final ten minutes.

Substitute Danny Carlton was through, but once again denied by Duke only for Thompson to volley home the rebound from 12 yards out.

Three minutes later and the Shrimps capped a five-star performance when Duke made a rare error of judgement in bringing down Carlton and Black made no mistake from the resulting penalty.