Adams left exasperated by Shrimps’ capitulation

By Derek Quinn

MORECA

Edwards 9, Angol 45+3

MORECAMBE: Burgoyne 7, Taylor 5, Songo’o 6, Stott 6, Millen 6, Cooke 6 (Jones 77, 6), White 7, Lewis 7 (Tutonda 67, 6), Edwards 8, Angol 8 (Dackers 77, 6), Dallas 6 (Slew 67, 6). Subs not used: Hope, Williams, Tollitt.

BARROW 2

Gotts 63, Smith 73

BARROW: Farman 6, Foley 7, Canavan 7, Williams 6, Duru 6 (Campbell 50, 6), Spence 7, Gotts 7, Newby 8, Whitfield 6 (Mahoney 74, 6), Smith 7, Pressley 7 (Acquah 74, 6). Subs not used: Barnes, Cameron, Jackson.

Att: 4,351 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Scott Simpson 7/10

FRUSTRATED Morecambe boss Derek Adams said his side pressed the “self-destruct button’’ again as they let a two-goal advantage slip against Barrow.

Goals from Gwion Edwards and Lee Angol, either side of Max Taylor’s dismissal saw the Shrimps claim a 2-0lead at the break.

But a huge missed chance from Andy Dallas and a critical error from Harry Burgoyne allowed the Bluebirds back into the game as Robbie Gotts and Tyler Smith secured a share of the spoils.

Adams said: “The game summed up our season and the club – it was self-destruct.

“We went 1-0ahead and had a player sent off and were cruising at 2-0, but then they got away with a foul for their first goal and we gave them a second with a goalkeeping error and that is the story of our season.

“We had chances to kill them off and make it 3-0, but didn’t do it and then made a mistake to let them back in it and that is what we have been doing all season.

“Individual errors cost us once again.”

Edwards gave Morecambe the lead after just nine minutes. An inch-perfect through ball from Tom White found Edwards who was calm and composed in front of goal to slot beneath Paul Farman.

Taylor was then shown a straight red card for a foul on Ben Whitfield just before the break.

Despite being a man down, the hosts doubled their lead in injury-time when Angol’s shot from the edge of the area deflected past Farman.

Early in the second half, Dallas had a free run on goal, but was denied superbly by Farman.

Barrow hit back with Gotts scoring from close range after Burgoyne had saved well from a close-range header.

But Burgoyne then gifted the visitors an equaliser when he let a regulation Dean Campbell shot squirm from his grasp to give Smith an easy finish.

Barrow head coach Andy Whing shared a very different emotion to that of Adams, saying: “I’m proud of the lads.

“It was a bit of a bonkers game. They scored from their only two real chances which gave us a mountain to climb.

“But we knew there were goals in it for us and when Paul Farman made a great save to deny them a third I knew we had it in us to get back into the game. I thought the lads were outstanding.”