Gavan Holohan ‘devastated’ after missing late chance for Grimsby

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.