Report, highlights & reaction: Morecambe 3-3 Colchester Utd

Morecambe finally got their first point – and scored their first League Two goals of the season, after a thrilling comeback at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

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The Shrimps presented an attacking threat from the very beginning of the match, as Harvey Macadam was able to capitalise on a misplaced pass before working it out to the left and crossing into the box; however, Matt Macey was able to collect.

Minutes later, Callum Jones received the ball just outside the penalty area and came close to opening the scoring with his powerful strike, but it went just wide of the target. 

In the 10th minute, Stuart Moore was called into action as he pulled off a great save to deny Samson Tovide’s close range header.

Morecambe looked to capitalise on the counter attack, with Macadam’s strike sailing narrowly over Macey’s crossbar.

Having dominated for the early stages of the match, it was only a matter of time before the Shrimps took a well-deserved lead through Ben Tollitt. Morecambe’s number 18 cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner.

Morecambe manager Derek Adams was sent from the technical area by referee Geoff Eltringham after 24 minutes, after receiving two cautions in the space of a few minutes.

On the 25-minute mark, Moore made another excellent stop lunging to deny Tovide with his feet.

The visitors continued their search for an equaliser and in the 37th minute, it was their number 9 Tovide whose curling effort went just wide at the far post.

In the 42nd minute, Morecambe defender Luke Hendrie was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the game, after he felled Owura Edwards on the edge of the area.

From the resulting free kick, the U’s drew level as Edwards was there to slot a header into the back of the net at the back post.

After coming close multiple times in the opening 45, Colchester United’s Tovide got his goal minutes in to the second half. Despite a magnificent initial save from Moore to keep out the U’s first effort, there was no stopping the visiting number 9's rebound as he slotted the ball in from close range.

With the Shrimps down to 10 men, Colchester dominated possession and forced the Morecambe shot stopper into a flurry of stunning stops within 5 minutes.

Moore denied Jack Payne with a strong hand to palm away the midfielder's effort, before then keeping out Teddy Bishop’s shot from the angle. Ellis Iandalo tried his luck from the edge of the box, but again Moore was there to block the shot.

In the 63rd minute, Tollitt looked to draw Morecambe level with an effort that was heading for the target until a defender’s leg made the all-important block.

Sensing the pressure from the Shrimps, the visitors regained possession, and on the break, it was Lyle Taylor who found himself in the right place at the right time to convert from a cross from the left and get his side’s third of the game.

Despite finding themselves two goals behind, Morecambe refused to be ruled out of the contest as they continued to apply the pressure. When they were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute after Kayden Harrack was sent tumbling, Callum Jones made no mistake from the spot.

With a renewed energy, the Shrimps continued their pursuit for an equaliser and in the 87th minute, loan signing, Marcus Dackers’ deflected strike rippled the back of the net and the Halo Terrace erupted in rapturous celebration.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie, A Lewis (Tutonda, 81'), Stott, Macadam (Millen, HT), Angol (Dackers, 61'), Williams, P Lewis, Tollitt (Slew, 70'), Songo'o © (Harrack, 81'), Jones.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Hope. 

Goals: Tollitt (17'), Jones (83'), Dackers (88').

Bookings: Angol, Hendrie, Slew.

Red Cards: Hendrie.

Colchester United: Macey, Iandolo, Goodliffe (Anderson, 77'), Flanagan ©, Bishop (Read, 69'), Tovide (Hopper, 86'), Payne, Egbo, Edwards (Gordon, 78'), Woodyard, Taylor (Scully, 69').

Subs not used: Smith, Hunt.

Goals: Edwards (43'), Tovide (49'), Taylor (64').

Bookings: Egbo.

Red Cards: None.

Attendance: 2,754 (200 away).