Dallas debut double moves Morecambe off bottom of League Two

Morecambe moved off the bottom of the League Two table after a pulsating 4-2 victory in the Lancashire derby with Fleetwood Town at the Mazuma.

There’s highlights, reaction and more in the latest episode of The Shrimps Verdict podcast.

Callum Cooke opened his account for the Club with a penalty on 13 minutes before James Bolton levelled proceedings just before the break.

Debutant Andy Dallas then scored two in seven second half minutes before Matty Virtue pulled one back with 15 left to play. Marcus Dackers then rounded off the scoring and made sure of the points on 86 minutes.

It was an energetic start to proceedings for the Shrimps as Hallam Hope came close to finding the opener in just the third minute of the game, after his effort crashed against the crossbar.

Moments later, it was debutant Andy Dallas who came close to an early opener, but after meeting the cross at the back post, he struck narrowly over the bar. 

Having dominated the early stages of the game, the Shrimps were awarded a penalty after a handball by a Town defender in the box. Cooke stepped up and coolly converted from 12 yards.

The home side nearly doubled the advantage after Cooke’s free-kick looped over the wall and crashed against the post.

In the 41st minute, Harry Burgoyne was called upon to maintain Morecambe's advantage by getting down to his right and palming a shot away for a corner kick.

But, the resulting corner kick saw the visitors draw level through James Bolton who rose highest to find the back of the net at the near post.

Despite Town enjoying a spell of possession in the opening stages of the second half, it was Derek Adams' men who made their mark.

Just five minutes after the break, Dackers knocked the ball into the path of Dallas who unleashed a powerful strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards, marking his debut with a goal that regained his side’s lead.

In the 60th minute, the Mazuma was sent into a frenzy again as Dallas secured his brace with an unstoppable effort from close range which was blasted into the roof of the net, after a long throw into the Fleetwood area wasn’t cleared.

Whilst the Shrimps continued to dominate, Burgoyne was called into action to keep out Matty Virtue’s close-range strike in the 73rd minute of the game.

Just two minutes later, Virtue struck again, and this time found the back of the net with his effort pulling one back for the visitors.

With a renewed energy, Fleetwood pushed for the leveller and Burgoyne made a vital save, reacting quickly, to deny them an equaliser, after Ryan Graydon was played through on goal.

Morecambe were back on the attack and it was Marcus Dackers who found himself in the right place at the right time to get on the end of a pinpoint perfect cross from Adam Lewis to head home and complete a memorable three points for the Shrimps.

Morecambe are now just three points from safety, ahead of a trip to Newport County on Tuesday evening.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, Hendrie, Taylor, Stott, Macadam, Hope (White, 77'), Dallas (Edwards, 83'), Dackers, Cooke (P Lewis, 90'), Tutonda (A Lewis, 77'), Songo'o ©.

Subs not used: Schofield, Slew, Tollitt.

Goals: Cooke (13'), Dallas (52', 59'), Dackers (86').

Cautions: Hope.

Fleetwood Town: Lynch, Bolton ©, Bonds, Graydon, Virtue, Mayor (Cover, 57'), Hunt, Helm (Neal, 68'), Potter, Rooney, Patterson (Devonport, 57').

Subs not used: Hewitson, Moore, Hughes, Smith.

Goals: Bolton (41'), Virtue (75').

Cautions: Lynch, Bonds.

Attendance: 3,522 (681 away).