Gore off as Bees earn a point

10:50pm Saturday 16th April 2005

Morecambe 1 Barnet 1 . . .

Ten-man Barnet held on to gain a point to put a dent in the home side's play-off aspirations.

This was always going to be a tough outing for the champions, as the Shrimps had not lost on home soil in the league since November.

And when keeper Shane Gore was red-carded for a professional foul with half-an-hour to go, the Bees had to dig deep.

A Liam Hatch header on 27 minutes put Barnet in the driving seat and Morecambe went in at the break heading towards their first defeat in seven games.

But the Bees, who were without injured captain Ian Hendon and Simon Clist, were rocked by a disastrous four-minute spell early in the second half.

First, on 58 minutes, Lee Elam drove home the equaliser from just inside the box and then, three minutes later, the visitors found themselves down to ten men.

Gore, enjoying a rare start, saw red for bringing down Danny Carlton outside the box. The referee deemed the challenge to be a professional foul and the Bees were forced to bring on sub keeper Scott Tynan for striker Giuliano Grazioli.

It was a miserable return for Gore, who looks set to be leaving Underhill at the end of the season.

Despite the extra man, Morecambe, who are desperate for points in order to book a play-off place, were unable to capitalise on the advantage and Barnet held on to take home a point.

In the circumstances, this was a spirited effort from Paul Fairclough's side, especially as they went to Christie Park with nothing much to play for.

New signing Patrick Ada made his debut with 20 minutes to go, but also ended up in the referee's book.

BARNET (4-4-2): Gore; Batt, King, Yakubu, Charles; Strevens (Ada 69), Lee, Bailey, Graham (Roache 78); Grazioli (Tynan 61), Hatch.

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