Morecambe draw 1-1 with Blackpool in early finish after worrying injury

Morecambe drew 1-1 with Blackpool in a pre-season friendly which ended early after a worrying injury to a Seasiders player.

Blackpool's Brad Holmes was stretchered off after an accidental penalty box collision with Shrimps defender Farrend Rawson towards the end of the game.

As Holmes lay prone for several minutes receiving assistance, the referee blew his full-time whistle early.

Blackpool later confirmed that Holmes was conscious and talking but would continue to receive medical attention.

Morecambe, with many new faces in the starting line-up, had performed well against their League One seaside neighbours in the penultimate pre season friendly of the summer.

Tom Bloxham scored his first goal at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium to give the Shrimps the lead at the end of the first half, before an equaliser for the visitors 10 minutes after the interval.

CJ Hamilton saw two early shots blocked by Farrend Rawson, while Shayne Lavery was denied twice by smart stops from former Seasiders’ keeper Stuart Moore.

Rawson nearly got on the end of a Michael Mellon cross-shot, before the Shrimps took the lead in the final minute of the first half.

Donald Love’s free kick to the far post found Bloxham in space, and the Shrewsbury loanee volleyed past Rich O'Donnell from 12 yards out.

It was poetic justice for Bloxham, who had just minutes before been flattened by a Dom Thompson high tackle, an off-the-ball incident which saw the Blackpool man receive a yellow card with many Shrimps fans calling for a red.

The visitors were level 10 minutes after the break, when Lavery produced a wonderful piece of skill to turn into space then race clear to finish sublimely over Moore for the equaliser.

Hamilton volleyed wide from the edge of the area before Adam Mayor struck a free kick straight at the keeper, as the match ended in a draw.

The Shrimps entertain Wigan Athletic at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday on their final friendly ahead of the new League Two campaign on August 5.

Morecambe: Moore (Smith, 81'), Love, Senior, Bedeau (Stokes, 79'), Rawson, Songo'o, Davenport (Slew, 68'), McKiernan (Brown, 79'), Mayor (Smith, 79'), Mellon, Bloxham (Melbourne, 68')

Subs not used: Taylor, Rooney, Dobson.