Morecambe 1 Walsall 1: Shrimps' boss sees red as they battle back for a point

The Shrimps had looked set for a first defeat at the Mazuma Stadium since October after trailing to Josh Gordon’s 37th minute goal.

However, with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Mendes-Gomes notched his eighth of the season to give Derek Adams’ players a point.

Even then, a dramatic finish saw the Shrimps denied a penalty and Adams sent off for his protests.

Adams had named an unchanged starting XI to that which lost to two late goals at Leyton Orient on Saturday but saw his side almost fall behind after eight minutes.

Zak Jules, who had lashed over from a corner after only 38 seconds, met another set-piece with a header cleared off the line by Adam Phillips.

At the other end, Yann Songo’o and Mendes-Gomes saw shots blocked before the Shrimps’ best first-half chance fell Cole Stockton’s way.

Sam Lavelle headed Aaron Wildig’s free-kick across goal, where Stockton controlled the ball, turned and saw his shot well saved by Liam Roberts.

With Storm Christoph doing its best to affect proceedings, it was the visitors who should have led on 31 minutes.

A throw-in eventually found its way to the unmarked Wes McDonald but he lacked composure and screwed his shot well off target when well placed.

Moments later and another presentable chance fell the visitors’ way but Gordon headed straight at Mark Halstead from close range.

There was no let-off eight minutes before the break, however, when Elijah Adebayo got clear down the right and crossed for Gordon.

The striker slid in and saw his initial effort kept out by a combination of Halstead and the post, only to head home the rebound.

Having struggled to create clear chances in the first half, the Shrimps had a good opportunity three minutes after the break.

Jack Nolan was deemed to have used a high boot in challenging John O’Sullivan 20 yards out but Phillips’ free-kick hit the top of the wall and was deflected behind.

The same player fired another free-kick off target before Walsall should have doubled their lead just before the hour.

Gordon’s pass split the Morecambe defence but Adebayo sidefooted across goal and wide of the far post.

Morecambe almost capitalised on his generosity moments later when Mendes-Gomes met O’Sullivan’s cross on the half-volley, only for Roberts to beat the ball away.

He had better luck with 10 minutes left when Ryan Cooney got the ball on the right-hand side and curled in an excellent cross for Mendes-Gomes to head home.

Then, with time running out, Wildig got behind the visitors’ defence and seemed to be pulled back by Dan Scarr.

The Morecambe man got his shot away, Roberts coming to his side’s rescue, but the Shrimps were furious and felt they should have been awarded a penalty by referee Graham Salisbury.

Instead, following consultation between the referee and his assistant, they were handed a corner and Adams a red card for his protests.

Four minutes of added time saw Lavelle head wide for the Shrimps as honours ended even.

Morecambe: Halstead, Cooney, Knight-Percival, Lavelle, Hendrie, Wildig, Songo’o, O’Sullivan (McAlinden 75), Phillips, Mendes-Gomes, Stockton. Subs not used: Da Silva Mendes, Slew, Diagouraga, Pringle, Gibson, Price.

Walsall: Roberts, White, Scarr, Sadler, Jules, Nolan (Norman 67), Kinsella, Sinclair, McDonald, Gordon, Adebayo. Subs not used: Cockerill-Mollett, Bates, Perry, Osadebe, Wright, Lavery.

Referee: Graham Salisbury

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