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A GARRY Thompson strike late in the game gave Sammy McIlroy a triumphant return to his old stomping ground.

Thompson's 84th-minute winner made it 2-1 to the Shrimps after the sides had gone in level and Morecambe survived a second half onslaught on their goal, defending corner after corner.

Macclesfield piled the pressure on after the break and had the better of the early exchanges but Morecambe managed to get bodies in the way of their efforts from a succession of corners.

At the other end, Carl Baker had two cracking shots saved by Jonathan Brain as the Shrimps midfielder tormented the home defence.


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Scott Loach pulled off a spectacular save at the other end to keep out Martin Gritton's 20-yard strike.

And, with just six minutes of normal time to play Baker hit another shot goalward, it was deflected onto the bar and rebounded back out to
Thompson who blasted it back into the net to put his side in front.

Morecambe began strongly with Stewart Drummond in an advanced midfield position on his return to the Shrimps line-up.

Drummond had the visitors' best chances early on with one poked shot from close range that was deflected wide and another header that flew just over.

At the other end, Gritton was getting far too much space and went close himself on a couple of occasions.

Matty Blinkhorn should have opened the scoring when Drummond found him with a glorious pass but the striker hit the side netting instead of shooting across the goal.

There was drama in the 16th minute when Drummond was adjudged to have pushed Danny Thomas in the back and the ref awarded a penalty.

Gritton stepped up to take it but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Loach.

The home side did take the lead, though when Gareth Evans broke down the left before clipping in a neat cross for Gritton to net with an easy 24th minute header.

Morecambe were soon back on level terms, though, when Baker found Thompson on the right and the winger outfought two defenders before squaring for the unmarked Blinkhorn to fire home a 29th minute equaliser.

Sammy McIlroy had rung the changes on his return to the side he managed to Football League promotion.

There was a hero's welcome for the current Shrimps boss at Moss Rose as he brought a Morecambe side looking to bounce back after their defeat at Stockport on New Year's day.

Michael Twiss was dropped to the bench and Damien Allen and Drummond came into the side with Craig Stanley suspended.

Michael Howard came in at left-back as Danny Adams covered for the suspended Dave Artell at centre-back.

Macclesfield Town: Brain, Regan, Hessey, Dimach, Wiles, Gritton, Tolley, Thomas, Dunfield, Evans, Doughty. Subs: Edghill, Reid, Blackman, Flynn, Millar.

Morecambe: Loach, Yates, Howard, Bentley, Hunter, Baker, Thompson, Allen, Drummond, Blinkhorn, Adams. Subs: Twiss, Curtis, Sorvel, Grand, Davies.