Notts. County 1 Morecambe 1

Last updated : 01 September 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Battling Morecambe came within minutes of their first ever away win in the League and it would have been harsh on them not to take a point from this contest.

County were indebted to a late strike for the second successive week by Richard Butcher to save a point and spare their blushes.

The match was notable above all for a series of missed goal-scoring opportunities, the most glaring of which came as early as the 10th minute.

Visiting goalkeeper Joe Lewis flapped at a left-wing cross and left the net completely unguarded. Hector Sam, four yards out and with the goal vacant, somehow contrived to head wide of the target when it seemed simpler to mark his Notts debut with a goal.

The error proved costly when Morecambe took a 35th-minute lead as Notts, once again, failed to cut out the danger from a set piece.

Craig Stanley's free kick was headed back across the Notts goal to the far post where Michael Twiss, completely unmarked, lifted the ball into the roof of the net.

Notts almost levelled right on half-time when it took a desperate goal-line clearance by Adam Yates to keep out a header by Paul Mayo - easily County's best player.

Immediately at the start of the second-half Morecambe almost doubled their advantage. Credit goes to Kevin Pilkington for narrowing the angle, forcing Gary Thompson to shoot wide, having been put through by Twiss.

Morecambe continually proved dangerous from quick breaks and Pilkington saved well from Stanley on 73 minutes, before Mayo blasted wide before setting up County's equaliser.

His cross from the left was met delightfully by Butcher who steered his header wide of Lewis to deny Morecambe at the death.