Swindon Town frustrated by draw against ten-man Morecambe

The game was all square at the break after Dan Kemp had given Swindon an early lead, before Jake Taylor levelled the scores before the half hour mark.

Morecambe were then reduced to ten in the second half as Yann Songo’o got two yellow cards and in the process gave away a penalty, that Charlie Austin converted, but Ethan Walker levelled again for the hosts.

The draw keeps Swindon’s unbeaten start to the season going and they are one short of a club record nine unbeaten to open a campaign, but they slip out of the automatic promotion places into fifth.

Michael Flynn opted to stick with the same team that had defeated Walsall comfortably at the County Ground seven days prior. The only change to the squad saw Liam Kinsella return from injury to replace Benn Ward on the bench. Ten of this 11 have played the last four matches for Swindon.

Swindon won a very early corner that was worked short, finding Austin on the corner of the box, he looked to curl the ball into the far corner, only to see it deflected behind for another corner.

But after 12 minutes, Town finally found the incisive football that has made them such a threat this season. Austin came short and spun the ball around the corner to set Jake Young in behind. Young steadied himself and dinked the ball to the back post, giving Kemp the easiest goal he will ever score.

Charlie Austin under pressure from the Morecambe defenders (Image: Callum Knowles)

The goal brought Morecambe to life as a cross-cum-shot from the corner of the box forced Murphy Mahoney to be at full stretch to make a save, but he could only push it out to Jordan Slew. From inside the six-yard box he looked to tap home, but hit the post and Swindon were spared.

After 24 minutes it could have been two for Swindon as Remeao Hutton switched the ball out to Tariq Uwakwe, who quickly knocked the ball inside to Kemp. The midfielder turned and played Austin in behind, but his chip trickled just wide of the far post.

Charlie Austin couldn't believe he didn't find the back of the net (Image: Callum Knowles)

Young was an inch away from doubling Town’s advantage when Hutton charged down the right and picked him out with a fizzing cross. The Bradford-loanee met it well, but Stuart Moore managed to get something behind it and prevent the ball creeping over the line.

After just about keeping one out at one end, Morecambe went straight up the other as Tom Bloxham sent a deep cross to the far post and Jake Taylor turned it home to equalise.

The Shrimps could have taken the lead after 37 minutes when Jerome Slew was flicked in behind on the left, he cut the ball back into JJ McKiernan, but his shot was deflected behind.

Frazer Blake-Tracy was looking to make something happen during the first half. (Image: Callum Knowles)

With time running out in the first half Kemp picked up space outside the box and played a neat one-two with Young, his dancing feet created a yard of space, but Stuart Moore got behind his shot.

Two minutes into the second half Swindon tried a clever corner routine to pick out Uwakwe on the edge of the area. He met the ball on the full volley and Moore had to be at his very best to deny him.

The Shrimps responded quickly as Bloxham was in acres of space on the right and found Taylor at the near post, but he turned the ball over the top.

Charlie Austin sends Stuart Moore the wrong way (Image: Callum Knowles)

Swindon got their first penalty of the season after 57 minutes as they played some liquid football right through the middle of Morecambe, Kemp charged in behind and was chopped down by Yann Songo’o. The midfielder was sent off for his second booking in as many minutes. Austin stepped up and dispatched the spot kick, sending Moore the wrong way.

With 15 minutes remaining Tyrese Shade delivered a cross to the back post and Hutton took it down and looked to play the ball back across goal. His low ball deflected off a defender and towards goal, but Stuart Moore reacted quickly to prevent a certain goal.

Morecambe made Swindon pay for missed chances as after making five substitutions at once, Donaldo Love played in Walker and he squeezed the ball under Mahoney and in at the near post.

Town were left frustrated by ten-man Morecambe (Image: Callum Knowles)

MFC starting XI: Moore, Love, Bedeau, Songo’o, Bloxham, King, McKiernan, Senior, Slew, Taylor, Connolly.

MFC subs: A. Smith, Tutonda, Rawson, Stokes, Davenport, C. Smith, Walker.

STFC starting XI: Mahoney, Hutton, Blake-Tracy, McEachran, Young, Khan, Kemp, Brewitt, Uwakwe, Godwin-Malife, Austin.

STFC subs: L. Ward, Hepburn-Murphy, Genesini, Cain, Kinsella, Shade, Minturn.

Attendance: 3,737