Morecambe 3 Stevenage Boro 3 MARK VENABLES Reports The frailties in the Stevenage Boro defence that have blighted their early season again reared their head at Morecambe on Saturday. Despite a stunning hat-trick from Steve Morison, all Boro had to show fo

Morecambe 3

Stevenage Boro 3

MARK VENABLES Reports

The frailties in the Stevenage Boro defence that have blighted their early season again reared their head at Morecambe on Saturday.

Despite a stunning hat-trick from Steve Morison, all Boro had to show for the long trip to Christie Park was a solitary point.

Welcome as it was, this first point of the season could have been so much more.

Boss Mark Stimson said: "As a manager, to come away from home, score three goals and not get all three points is very disappointing.

"Defensively we have to tighten up because individuals are making mistakes. We need to sort it out quickly or we will give ourselves a mountain to climb every game."

Defending was the last thing on Boro's minds as they surged forwards from the opening whistle.

With less than a minute on the clock, Morison prodded home a knockdown from Luke Oliver to raise expectations.

But by midway through the half that lead had evaporated as Michael Twiss powerfully headed past Alan Julian.

Undeterred, Boro flooded forwards and within two minutes were back in the lead, Morison converting a pinpoint cross from Steve Guppy.

As the half progressed Morecambe gained the ascendancy and that continued into the second half when within five minutes of the restart they had got their noses in front with two carbon copy attacks.

Wayne Curtis set about attacking the right side of the Boro defence and put in two low crosses that were turned in from close range, firstly by Twiss, then Danny Carlton, both given far too much time and space.

"I don't know how those players had so much space in the box at the stage of the game," added Stimson. "But I shall be watching the video closely and having a word."

Despite their shortcomings at the back, Boro were firing on all cylinders going forwards, and shortly after Adam Miller's long-range effort crashed against the foot of the post, they were level thanks to that man Morison again.

Guppy timed his ball exquisitely into the path of Morison, and the striker, in imperious form, curled the ball round the keeper from an angle for his hat-trick.

With still half an hour to go, the excitement continued, as chances were traded.

Julian saved brilliantly as this time Hunter met a cross from his left, while the best of the Boro efforts saw the otherwise quiet Craig Dobson hit a dipping, deflected shot that Robinson had to stretch for.

As the game ended, it was still sweeping from end to end but neither side could conjure up the decisive goal.

The points were deservedly shared though, with just about everyone in the ground happy with what they had seen, except that is the two managers.

MATCH FACTS

Morecambe v BORO

10......................Goal attempts......................14

6......................Shots on target......................6

4......................Shots off target......................7

0......................Hit woodwork......................1

1......................Offsides......................3

16......................Free-kicks......................12

10......................Corners......................2

TEAM: Julian 6, Nutter 6, Fuller 6, Goodliffe 7, Oliver 6, Dobson 6 (Thorpe 74m, ?), Hicks 7 (Henry 67m, 6), Miller 8, Guppy 8, Morison 9*, Boyd 8.

SubS not used: Stamp, Gaia, Wright.

BOOKED: Hicks 39m, Oliver 73m.

ATT: 1,524.

REF: A Haines (Yorkshire).

n Subs must play at least 20 minutes to earn a player

rating.