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FOOTBALL League new boys claimed their first point of the new season with a battling draw against Barnet.

Anyone who thought there would be little difference between football in the Conference and League Two would have had their illusions shattered on Saturday.

Barnet looked quicker than the vast majority of teams in the Conference and there seems no doubt that mistakes will be punished.

But thankfully for the Shrimps, there were few errors on Saturday.

The defence was solid throughout with Jim Bentley and new signing David Artell outstanding.

Elsewhere Carl Baker looked a threat until he tired in the second half while Craig Stanley and Neil Sorvel were more than a match for the Barnet midfielders with industrious performances.

The Shrimps, however, were grateful to keeper Joe Lewis at the death for a world-class save that denied the Bees a late winner.

The giant 6ft 5ins keeper earned the applause of both sets of fans when he tipped Anthony Thomas' 84th-minute goalbound shot onto the crossbar at full stretch.

The day itself was a cordial one with Morecambe running out to a banner welcoming them into the League displayed by the Barnet fans.

It was a great gesture that echoed the spirit shown by Bees boss Paul Fairclough after the game when he sportingly said: "I wanted to win of course but at the same time I'm really sympathetic to the fact that Morecambe have got a point.

"I've always had a lot of respect for the club and I'm delighted to see them in League Two."

Shrimps boss Sammy McIlroy was also happy, saying: "I'm delighted that we have got a point on the board. It was a momentous day for the club and for the supporters and I am pleased we are off the mark."

McIlroy said the game was one that showed his players the levels they need to be at this season.

"Barnet showed that we have to be a bit sharper in certain situations, especially in the final third, but overall I was delighted with the lads.

"We defended magnificently and Joe Lewis pulled off a wonder save at the death when he was called upon."

The Shrimps, cheered on by a crowd so large that the game was held up for 15 minutes, started superbly.

They shocked the visitors with their slick passing and movement and Wayne Curtis was soon in action with an early shot beaten away by Ismail Yakubu's desperate, late challenge.

They then had a golden chance to open the scoring after just six minutes
when Michael Twiss worked himself an opening in the box but shot straight at Lee Harrison with the goal at his mercy.

After a shaky start, Barnet began to threaten themselves with Adam Birchall forcing Lewis to save low to his right and Sagi Burton heading
over Ashley Carew's free-kick at the far post.

Thomas tried his luck from distance with two efforts that went wide before the Shrimps created an opening for Garry Hunter on the hour when he volleyed over from Twiss' clever flick.

Twiss himself then threatened when he nipped in between defender and goalkeeper to volley just wide of the target before Barnet enjoyed a
period of dominance.

Michael Leary sent a 30-yarder just wide shortly after the break and Lewis saved from Birchall before the former tried his luck from distance
again with a curling effort that beat the Morecambe keeper but flew past the post.

The Shrimps escaped a threatening moment when Ashley Carew's cross flashed across the six-yard box and was inches too far ahead of both
Birchall and Leary at the far post.

Then Lewis produced an early candidate for save of the season with his flying block from a disbelieving Thomas to ensure the Shrimps started with a point.

MORECAMBE: Lewis 8, Yates 7, Adams 7, Artell 8, Bentley 9, Hunter 7 (Thompson 69), Sorvel 7, Baker 7 (Burns 72), Curtis 6, Twiss 6 (Newby 86). Subs not used: Drench, Howard. Booked: Adams.

BARNET: Harrison 7; Devera 7, Yakubu 7, Burton 7, Nicolau 7; Carew 7 (Porter 90), Bishop 7, Leary 7, Puncheon 8; Thomas 7 (Hatch 88), Birchall 7. Subs not used: Beckwith, Hendon, Seanlea. Booked: Thomas.

Att: 3,663.
Ref: P Joslin.