Exeter City 1-1 Morecambe

The Shrimps looked set for the three points after a goal from teenage defender Aaron McGowan but despite some stoic defending could not hold on for victory as the home side scored a late leveller through Alex Nicholls.

Exeter started the game on top with former Morecambe midfielder Tom McCready, making his first start for the Grecians, heavily involved.

McCready, who joined Exeter in January, went close with a shot from just outside the area on 16 minutes and then delivered a good corner that Christian Ribeiro headed over moments later.

At that stage of the game City were very much on top in the match, but Morecambe hit them with sucker punch on 17 minutes with a superbly worked goal.

Laurence Wilson, Aaron WIldig and Andy Fleming all combined to create space for McGowan, in for the injured Shaun Beeley, to drill in a low shot that beat James Hamon for his first Shrimps goal.

From there Exeter had plenty of possession but struggled to create any real openings with only a Tom Nichols shot that ended up a couple yards wide causing any moments of concern.

Exeter began the second half with Ribeiro playing a one-two with Clinton Morrison before having a shot blocked, but it was Morecambe who should have made it 2-0 on 53 minutes.

Jack Redshaw did well to latch onto a ball over the top and then played in Jamie Devitt but the striker’s shot ended inches wide of the post.

City were forced into a change moments later as Ribeiro went off with a knee injury and replaced by Nicholls and he seemed to give the home side an attacking edge they previously lacked.

Paul Tisdale’s side continued to press and substitute Graham Cummins crashed a header against the crossbar and David Wheeler’s follow up effort, which ended up in the back of the net, was ruled out for offside.

Unfortunately the Shrimps failed to heed the warning and Exeter levelled with 11 minutes to go as Nichols crossed from the right for Alex Nicholls to cushion the ball on his thigh before turning and firing home.

City started to push men forward in search of victory as Morecambe sat deeper and deeper but it was Jim Bentley’s side who almost snatched victory when Redshaw found space in the box but could only shoot straight at Hamon.

The only other incident of note came in the closing stages when Nichols was shown a straight red card for kicking out at a Morecambe player in frustration.

Exeter City: Hamon, Davies, Ribeiro (Nicholls 53), Moore-Taylor, McAllister, McCready (Cummins 64), Oakley, Harley, Holmes, Morrison (Wheeler, 64), Nichols. Subs not used: Keadell, Butterfield, Woodman, Bennett.

Sent off: Nichols

Morecambe: Arestidou, Edwards, Hughes, Parrish, McGowan, Fleming, Kenyon (Wright 63), Wilson, Devitt (Ellison 63), Wildig, Redshaw (Mullin 87). Subs not used: Stewart, Goodall, Amond.

Booked: Kenyon, Fleming, Hughes.

Referee: Michael Bull

Attendance: 3,538 (83 from Morecambe)