MORECAMBE FC'S second string players just failed to progress towards an amazing hat-trick of successes in their first Pontin's League season.

Having already tied up the Pontin's League West Division and the League Cup, Morecambe Reserves were bidding to seal a treble with success in the divisional play-off.

They faced City, who were best runners-up in the three divisions, with the winners destined for a final with either Nottingham Forest, who won the Central Division, or East champions, Hartleopool.

But it proved a step too far - the young Morecambe side playing some neat football but going down to a slick, passing City team.

The Shrimps trailed 2-0 at the break with goals from Robbie Mak on 29 and Andrew Tufte on 38 minutes giving the visitors the advantage.
The Shrimps came back in the second half with Steve Fitzpatrick going close from distance and Paul Lloyd forcing City keeper Joe Clegg into decent saves.

Aaron Taylor gave Morecambe a glimmer of hope with an 89th minute goal but it was not enough to force a penalty shoot-out.

MORECAMBE: S Davies, J Davies, Langford, Wisdom, M Bell; Jarvis, Mills, Fitzpatrick, Lloyd; Taylor, Twiss. Subs: Woodward, Kelly, Ashcroft, D Bell.