Back in time: Morecambe snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Crewe Alexandra

This week, we’re heading back to April 2010 when the Shrimps defied all possible circumstances to record a 4-3 win against Crewe Alexandra at Christie Park.

This was how DEREK QUINN described the action on an eventful afternoon...

As the curtain closes on 89 years of footballing history at Christie Park the Shrimps provided at least one more memorable afternoon with this sensational victory.

On a day that will be remembered by everyone who was there, the Shrimps produced a stunning comeback to clinch a thrilling Good Friday victory over Dario Gradi’s Crewe.

Trailing 3-1 with four minutes to go and down to 10 men after Andy Parrish’s late sending off, the Shrimps scored three goals in the final four minutes of a remarkable game to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Skipper Jim Bentley admitted it was one of the best games he had ever played in and said it was an important win for his side.

He said: “These are the sort of games that when you finish playing you will still remember.

“It was an amazing game and the lads deserve great credit for battling all the way to the death.

“It’s certainly among the high points of my career so far and it was important because it still keeps us in the play-off hunt with some more big games to come.”

Morecambe started on the front foot and soon created chances with Simon Hackney and Phil Jevons both forcing Steve Phillips into fine saves in the opening 10 minutes before Crewe hit back and took a two-goal lead into the half-time break.

Joel Grant gave Alex the lead on 17 minutes when he fired home after Shaun Miller’s shot had rebounded into his path.

Miller than made it 2-0 close to the half-hour when Will Haining misjudged his header back to Barry Roche and Clayton Donaldson nipped in to lob the keeper and present Miller with a simple tap in.

With the wind behind them the Shrimps started the second half on top and pulled a goal back with Jevons firing home his first for eight games after Phillips’ poor punch.

Crewe regained their two-goal advantage shortly afterwards when Donaldson curled one past Roche from the right-hand side.

On 73 minutes the game looked over as a contest when Parrish was sent off for tripping Miller just outside the box, then David Artell handled the free-kick to give away a penalty.

But Miller was denied by a superb Roche save as the Morecambe keeper stopped his second spot-kick in successive weeks.

The save also gave the Shrimps a renewed spark.

Wayne Curtis gave the Shrimps hope with an 86th minute header, and when Paul Mullin levelled on 90 minutes, the Shrimps’ supporters were in full voice.

With four minutes of injury time played Craig Stanley’s looping volley was superbly saved by Phillips.

From the resulting corner, Artell powered a header into the back of the Crewe net to spark scenes of jubilation on another memorable Christie Park afternoon.