Carlisle fight back for Morecambe point

Posted Sunday, February 23, 2020 by PA

Carlisle fought back from a two-goal deficit to claim a 2-2 Sky Bet League Two draw with Morecambe at a windswept Brunton Park.

Former Carlisle forward Cole Stockton and Aaron Wildig fired Shrimps into the lead, before Omari Patrick pulled one back for the home side on the stroke of half-time.

Aaron Hayden’s second-half header enabled the Cumbrians to draw level, but neither side could find a winner despite having chances.

Morecambe goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi was kept busy in the early exchanges, fielding a curling Nathan Thomas free-kick from a dangerous position on the right of the penalty area, then grabbing Aaron Hayden’s bundled effort after Carlisle had won a corner on the left.

The visitors had the blustery wind to contend with, but they went ahead in the 18th minute when Jordan Cranston’s pass found Stockton just inside the area and he was able to take a touch before fizzing a low shot just inside Adam Collin’s left-hand post.

The Cumbrians’ goalkeeper was beaten again five minutes later when the defence could only clear as far as Wildig who, from 20 yards, lashed a stunning volley into the top corner.

Carlisle were in desperate need a response before the break and they got it in the final moments of the first half when Patrick seized on a ball on the left and fired in a shot from the edge of the box which flew in off the far post.

The hosts drew level after 66 minutes when Elliot Watt’s corner from the right carried across to the far post where Hayden directed his header just inside the upright.

Adam Phillips tried to restore the Shrimpers’ advantage with a low shot from distance which went just wide, but – at the other end – Mafoumbi was glad to fall on the loose ball after Patrick had headed across the six-yard line.