Morecambe overcome Mansfield on penalties

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2019 by PA

Morecambe are through to the second round of the Carabao Cup after beating Mansfield 6-5 on penalties.

The 90 minutes finished at 2-2, with the Shrimps playing 68 of them with 10 men before Ryan Sweeney lifted Mansfield’s final sudden-death spot-kick over the bar.

Morecambe had grabbed an 18th minute lead when Steven Old buried a free header from six yards from Lewis Alessandra’s corner.

But they were down to 10 men four minutes later after Luke Conlan’s needless challenge on Kellan Gordon on the home by-line.

Andy Cook came close to levelling, lifting Mal Benning’s cross against the bar and glancing a close range header wide from another good Benning ball.

But the home side were level after 57 minutes from Otis Khan’s corner. Mark Halstead did well to keep Ryan Sweeney’s header out but was helpless as Krystian Pearce headed home the loose ball from close range.

However, two minutes later Jordan Cranston sent in a free-kick for Morecambe and Old’s header looped over Conrad Logan to put them back in front.

Mansfield made a double change after 66 minutes and two minutes later substitute Omari Sterling-James had turned well and drilled home a low 16-yard finish to level again.

But Morecambe defended superbly at the end to force the shoot-out, with both sides missing twice before Sweeney’s final effort.