Rochdale 0-1 Morecambe

Paul Mullin’s goal was enough to send Morecambe into the area semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the expense of Rochdale on Tuesday night.
Rochdale v Morecambe - Shrimps LiveRochdale v Morecambe - Shrimps Live
Rochdale v Morecambe - Shrimps Live

The striker fired home on 16 minutes before missing a penalty on the half hour.

But it mattered not as Jim Bentley’s side made it three wins from three against League 1 sides in this year’s competition.

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The hosts had the first shot in anger on 10 minutes with Andy Cannon firing a low drive narrowly wide from 20 yards but it was The Shrimps who went in front shortly after the quarter hour.

Jamie Devitt’s half-cleared corner was poked back into the danger area by Aaron Wildig with Mullin hooking home a fine finish from 10 yards.

It was nearly two on 20 minutes but no-one could get on the end of Lee Molyneux’s cross across the face of goal after a fine team move.

It was turning into an end-to-end game however with Calvin Andrew then curling an effort wide at the other end.

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The game’s major talking point however saw The Shrimps have a golden chance to double their lead on the half hour.

Aaron Wildig was brought down in the area by Jimmy McNulty but Mullin’s spot kick was saved by Joel Castro Pereira low to his right with the Manchester United loanee then having to grab the ball as it hung on the goalline to complete the job.

The Shrimps continued to make the running in the opening half, Castro Pereira holding onto Wildig’s well-struck shot from 20 yards but Bentley’s side couldn’t add to their advantage before the break.

Rochdale improved immediately after the interval but Donal McDermott blazed over their first sight of goal from 15 yards when he should have done better.

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The hosts were still stuttering but were having the better of the chances in an open game, Michael Rose’s free-kick being beaten away by Barry Roche on 62 minutes.

Keith Hill’s side continued to probe but weren’t creating a hatful of chances as they searched for a way back into the game, Rhys Bennett heading over a Rose corner with a quarter of an hour to play.

Morecambe had a golden chance to seal the win four minutes from time but through on goal with all the time in the world Devitt could only drag his shot wide.

Rochdale couldn’t make The Shrimps pay though as the visitors took one step closer to Wembley.

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Rochdale: Castro-Pereira, Cannon, McNulty (capt) (Kennedy 34), Eastham, Tanser, Rose, Bennett, Lund (Alessandra 46), McDermott (Ayina 60), Mendez-Laing, Andrew. Subs not used: Lillis, Lancashire, Ayina.

Booked: McNulty

Morecambe: Roche, McGowan, Parrish (capt), Edwards, Wilson, Kenyon, Fleming, Devitt, Wildig (Ellison 64), Molyneux (Barkhuizen 64), Mullin (Miller 73). Subs not used: Thompson, Goodall.

Booked: Miller, McGowan

Referee: David CooteAttendance: 1,428