Morecambe beat Altrincham in fairytale return to action

Morecambe scored in the 98th minute to win their opening game of the National League season in dramatic fashion at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Read more: LIVE BLOG: Morecambe FC return to play Altrincham

The Shrimps were only given the green light to begin the season on Wednesday, having had the first three games of the season postponed, and following the lifting of the club’s suspension after the completion of the takeover by Panjab Warriors.

Over the last few days 12 players have been signed by new manager Ashvir Singh Johal, with six of the new signings handed a debut from the start, in a line up that also included all five of the senior players that remained at the club during the summer.

And it was the perfect start to the homecoming in just the seventh minute of their season opener against Altrincham.

Paul Lewis won the ball in midfield, Jake Cain advanced into the Altrincham half and played in Ben Tollitt, who cut in from the left, before finishing into the bottom corner the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.

Harry Panayiotou chipped a good chance over the bar when well placed to double the lead, before the visitors grew into the half and were level ten minutes before the interval.

A ball over the top caught the Morecambe defence napping, and Jimmy Knowles advanced in the area before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner.

The visitors dominated most of the second half but were wasteful in front of goal as good chances for Kosylo and Kirk in particular went begging, while Morecambe saw a Gwion Edwards goal bound volley blocked and Luke Hendrie just failing to convert at the back post from a corner.

With five minutes left of the 90 to play, Archie Mair was forced into a great save as Osborne fired towards goal.

Ten minutes of stoppage time was to follow, where Morecambe would snatch a dramatic late winner.

With 90 seconds of added time remaining, Hendrie won the ball in defence, Ben Tollitt drove forward on the counter attack before slipping a perfect ball into the path of substitute Dan Ogwuru, who smashed a low drive past Hutchinson to send the home crowd into raptures.

Click here to listen to the postmatch reaction from manager Ashvir Singh Johal:

Click here to listen to the postmatch reaction from match winner Dan Ogwuru:

Morecambe: Mair, Hendrie, Conte (Ogwuru, 77'), Francillette, Edwards, Panayiotou, Cain, Williams (Campbell, 67'), Lewis, Tollitt, Songo'o 

Subs not used: Scales, Dobson, Fairclough

Goals: Tollitt (7'), Ogwuru (90+8')

Bookings: Edwards, Williams

Altrincham FC: Hutchinson, Banks (C), Marriott (Osborne, 67'), Ward (Kosylo, 75'), Knowles, Reddin, Crawford, Golden, Barnes, Sassi, Kirk (Gale, 67')

Subs not used: Reed, Raymond, Weaver, Fallon

Goals: Knowles (34')

Bookings: Kirk

Attendance: 3408 (208 away)