League Two strugglers Morecambe and Carlisle played out a dire draw in a turgid game at the Globe Arena earlier today.

Former Blue John O’Sullivan equalised for the Shrimps three minutes after Hallam Hope broke the deadlock shortly following half-time.

It was Chris Beech’s league game in charge of the Cumbrians, and had 1,251 of them rallying his team on thoroughly a soggy afternoon on the coast.

Beech had Jarrad Branthwaite back fit and deployed him to screen the Carlisle back four. The 17-year-old reported Celtic and Rangers target had the first effort of the game when he fired a left-footed strike which forced Morecambe’s Mark Halstead to get down well and smother.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the first half, with Nathan Thomas blazing over for the Blues after Aaron Wildig tested Carlisle ‘keeper Adam Collin from close range.

he action was to come in the second half as the sides went in level at the break.

Half-time: 0-0

That action came quickly when Thomas threaded a pass through to Hope, who beat Steven Old to the ball and slotted past Halstead to send the away end behind the goal into pandemonium.

Those blue-smoke encrusted celebrations were abruptly ended a few minutes later by a familiar face, though.

Lewis Alessandra put the ball into the penalty area. before Wildig’s sliced effort was headed in by O’Sullivan to equalise for Derek Adams’ men.

Webster has made far too many costly errors this season and supporters made their frustrations known.

From then on, it was the Shrimps who looked more like scoring and a goalmouth clearance from Aaron Hayden prevented O’Sullivan from grabbing another.

The Cumbrians flattered to deceive on the break and ultimately created nothing of note as the Dennis Trailers Terrace tried to suck the ball into the net once again.

The final whistle blew to groans of frustration around the ground, and it would be fair to say that if there were two relegation places open as usual, they would both be far more worried.

Both attacks were often toothless at the end of build-up play, as well as porous defences allowing opportunities to come from nothing.

Due to other results, Carlisle drop to 22nd place and Morecambe remain rock bottom, as both teams begin to imagine what life could be like in non-league.

Attendance: 3,126 (1,251)

Referee: Darren Handley

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent