Tommy Leigh secures Accrington point at Morecambe

Tommy Leigh’s penalty salvaged Accrington a 1-1 draw at Lancashire rivals Morecambe in League Two.

Both goals came in the second half with Morecambe taking the lead in the 64th minute when on-loan Bristol Rovers defender James Connolly scored his first goal for the Shrimps as he diverted Jordan Slew’s shot past Jon McCracken from six yards.

The lead lasted just five minutes however as the home side gave away a soft penalty.

As Stanley pushed forward Morecambe winger Tom Bloxham brought down Shaun Whalley with a crude challenge and Leigh stepped up to send Stuart Moore the wrong way from the spot.

Slew had a golden chance to win it deep in stoppage time when he was played in on goal but slashed his final effort wildly wide.

The first half saw both sides go close as the action flew from end to end.

The closest either team came to a goal was when Morecambe midfielder Jake Taylor was played in by Michael Mellon but saw his goalbound chip cleared off the line superbly by former Shrimps defender Kelvin Mellor.

Mellon saw two efforts well saved by McCracken while at the other end Joe Pritchard forced a superb save from Moore and Jack Nolan hit the crossbar with a curling corner.