Grimsby boss Dave Artell said Gavan Holohan was “devastated” after missing a last-gasp chance to secure the Mariners a vital three-point haul at the Mazuma Stadium.
Holohan looked certain to bundle home Abo Eisa’s cross into the Morecambe goal with virtually the last kick of the game but a late bobble saw the ball come off his shin and spoon over the bar.
Coming into the game on the back of a 5-1 home defeat by Doncaster, the injury-hit Mariners produced a resilient performance with Danny Rose giving them the lead after just 80 seconds, only for Jordan Slew to level early in the second half and make it 1-1.
Artell, a former Morecambe player, said: “Gavan was devastated at the end after the late chance and you had to feel for him as he had done so well to get onto the cross.
“We had a few meetings in the week and a few open and honest conversations with the players after last week’s defeat and we had a really productive week. We all knew we needed a response after the Doncaster game and I thought we got that.
“We have had illness in the camp all week and were missing some players who had been involved in a car crash in midweek so we only had 18 fit players but every one of them put in a great shift.
“The lads showed great resilience and determination off the ball and if we had been a bit more clinical with it, especially at the end of the game, we could have taken the three points.”
Morecambe boss Ged Brannan said his side’s poor start cost them the three points.
He said: “It was a tough one to take really because it was criminal to give Danny Rose so much space in the box like we did.
“We have been conceding early goals far too often this season and we can’t expect to come back and win games all the time.
“I can’t fault the lads for their efforts to get back into the game and some of our football was excellent after a poor start but you can’t keep putting yourself under pressure week in, week out.
“There were lots of positives but we couldn’t get the second goal and they almost won it at the end so at the end of the day it is a point in the right direction and we will keep pushing up that table.”
After Rose tucked away Harry Clifton’s cross, Morecambe struggled to break down a resilient Mariners defence.
Gwion Edwards was the Shrimps’ main dangerman and, after forcing Harvey Cartwright into a neat save late in the first half, he went on to provide the assist for Slew as his cross from the right was converted by the striker.
Edwards then saw a shot from the edge of the box superbly saved by Cartwright before Slew’s dipping cross from the left hit the top of the crossbar, with the rebound put wide by Jordy Hiwula.
As gaps opened up Grimbsy almost snatched victory at the death. Eisa smashed a free-kick inches wide before providing the cross that Holohan somehow failed to convert.
Martino resigns as Inter Miami coach after early playoff exit
Gerardo Martino has resigned as Inter Miami's head coach due to personal reasons, the MLS side have confirmed.
The Argentine ends his 17-month stint in charge of the Herons following their MLS Cup exit just under a fortnight ago.
Martino, who oversaw Miami's Leagues Cup triumph soon after his arrival last season, guided the franchise to this year's Supporters' Shield with a regular-season record tally of 74 points.
However, they were eliminated by his former side Atlanta United in round one of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Miami opened their best-of-three series against Atlanta with a 2-1 win, only to lose by the same scoreline in Game 2 before falling to a dramatic 3-2 defeat in the decider.
“It has been an honour to work at such a special club, and to lead such a special team," Martino said.
"I’ve enjoyed my stay at Inter Miami and will treasure the memories made and relationships forged here for the rest of my life.
"I depart with nothing but gratitude for my time here and would like to offer sincere thanks to everyone that made it possible."
Fonseca: Milan have 'respect' but 'are not afraid' of Juventus
Paulo Fonseca said Milan have plenty of "respect" for Juventus, but his side "are not afraid" of their rivals ahead of their Serie A clash on Saturday.
After a slow start to the season, Milan are six points adrift of Juventus in the table, but only a place behind them, as they aim to make up the ground on the top six.
The Rossoneri have played a game less than Thiago Motta's side, and could catapult themselves back into the Scudetto picture with a win this weekend.
Milan return to the San Siro for the first time since a 2-0 defeat to Napoli at the end of October, and could register two consecutive home defeats in Serie A for the first time since between October and November in 2023.
"It is not decisive, but it is important, like all of them," Fonseca told reporters ahead of Saturday's game.
"I can't say that the game against Juve is more important than the next one against Empoli because we need consecutive victories.
"It's a different game, but I always think positively. We are Milan, we have a lot of respect for the 'Bianconeri', but we are not afraid. We are here ready to win."
A boost for Milan is that Juventus will be without top scorer Dusan Vlahovic for Saturday's clash after returning from international duty with a muscle problem.
Despite the Serbian's absence, Fonseca was aware of the danger his probable replacement, Timothy Weah, would pose, having managed him during his time at Lille.
"Juve knows how to adapt very well. I don't know if Weah will play," Fonseca said.
"Weah is very fast and attacks deep, not like Vlahovic. It will not be the same thing of course.
"We will have to pay attention to movements in depth and less to support work, because he is a player who does less of this job."
While Fonseca has endured a stuttering start to his tenure at the San Siro, Milan have shown they have the ability to match the very best.
They beat rivals Inter in October before stunning Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in their last Champions League encounter, keeping their play-off hopes alive.
"I believe it's a matter of motivation and not pressure," Fonseca said.
"Against Inter, Juve and Real it is easy to be motivated, it's more difficult to go to Cagliari and have the same motivation.
"Pressure is always with us, every day. If we don't want to have pressure, then we shouldn't be here."
'Right guy at the right time' - Amorim confident of changing Man Utd's fortunes
Ruben Amorim believes he is the "right guy at the right time" to turn Manchester United's fortunes around.
The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal earlier this month to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2027, replacing Erik ten Hag after he was sacked in October.
Amorim is the sixth permanent United manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, having left Sporting CP to take charge during the international break.
He won two Primeira Liga titles as Sporting head coach as well as two Taca da Liga trophies, while he led the club to a perfect start in the league this season, winning all 11 of their games.
United sit 13th in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to Ipswich Town on 15 points, though they are just four points behind Chelsea in third.
Amorim recognised the size of the task ahead of him in Manchester but is confident he can make a change.
"I'm a little bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself, and I believe in the club," he said during his first press conference.
"I think we have the same idea, the same mindset and that can help.
"I truly believe in the players; I know you don't believe a lot, but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don't think it's possible, I do.
"Call me naive, but I believe I am the right guy at the right time. I truly believe I am the right guy."
Aged 39 years and 302 days, Amorim will be the youngest to take charge of his first match for the Red Devils since Wilf McGuinness in August 1969 (31y 288d).
United have won just four of their 11 league games so far this season, and have struggled in front of goal, netting just 12 times so far.
Expected to implement his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Amorim admitted it would take time for the club to adapt and has asked for patience as the players get used to his tactics.
"I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it's a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try to win the title," he added.
"We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don't know how long it will take."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
