FRIENDLY: Morecambe

United wrapped up their summer run of pre-season friendlies with a trip to the seaside on Saturday afternoon.

Forward Omari Patrick was back on the bench as he continues his return from a summer injury niggle, but Brennan Dickenson missed out with the dead leg picked up during the Bolton game.

Former Blue Arthur Gnahoua started for the Shrimps but another familiar face, Cole Stockton, was named on the bench.

United looked alive from the off and Armer controlled well as a pass came his way. He took a touch and delivered early from tight by the touchline, but Liam Gibson got to it first with a clearing header.

Carlisle stayed high and Gibson and Back battled over by the right hand corner flag to get it under their wing. It was cleared behind but Moxon's corner was too close to Ripley, and he pulled it into his chest.

Another energetic press saw Moxon steal possession just outside the home box. He got it out from under his feet but his 23-yard effort was always going wide.

A flowing away break was started by Gibson as he cleared his lines. Edmondson shielded it before clipping it inside for Dennis, but it was nicked off his toe before he could shoot.

The Cumbrians were close again when a Moxon corner found Mellish on the leap. A downward header from him was going in until Ripley dived to make the save.

Taylor broke forward for the hosts when he took the ball off Edmondson on the halfway line, but blue shirts covered and the attack broke down.

United were almost undone when they were caught flat-footed with a ball over the top. Hunter was clean through, but Holy advanced well outside his area to make a vital save.

Another teasing Moxon set piece brought a header on the dive from Edmondson but he couldn't find his bearings and the ball bobbled wide of the mark.

A defence splitting pass from Moxon set Armer free when he covered 30 yards to get into the space that had been created. He delivered early but it was cut out at the near post.

Carlisle were tenacious and Gibson once again got forward with purpose, but his first delivery was charged down. His follow up was touched by Edmondson, and Moxon was disappointed to see his 19-yard rasper strike a red shirt and spin to freedom.

There were loud appeals for a penalty on the half hour when a corner was kept alive, with Edmondson and Barclay challenging. It came to Mellish and his goal bound stinger appeared to hit a hand. The officials said no, and play went on.

It was a dominant display from the visitors and a Gibson cross from deep caused panic as it whisked beyond Dennis. It was horrible for Ripley, but he showed good hands.

More hesitation from Morecambe brought a half chance when Dennis pounced to get the ball back. Edmondson flicked it on, and Ripley and Liam Gibson were relieved to see the loose ball squirm wide as a double ricochet confused the pair.

United were close yet again when a Moxon corner ripped just past Feeney. It was guided back for Guy to strike, and the rebound invited Gibson to go for it. It had power but it dipped past the upright.

The Shrimps almost nicked the lead against the run of play just before the break when Hunter pulled off his marker with the ball at his feet. He rounded Holy, but there were men on the line and he chose to wait for support. His final ball was poor and Feeney hooked it high.

Carlisle were a touch away from opening their account on 51 minutes when Guy was clever with a header in midfield. Armer suddenly had space, and he didn't disappoint with a cross to the far post that was guided back across the face of goal by Dennis. It was begging to be finished off, but Sho-Silva was muscled off it.

It was Moxon who spotted Armer on the overlap moments later and he kept it close to the grass as Dennis made a run. The striker's clipped toe poke was diverted behind.

Jordan Gibson was chopped to the floor 20 yards out as the Blues came again, but his free kick smashed into the wall. Armer was on hand to volley the loose pieces, but that was stopped in its tracks by Liam Gibson.

It was almost one-way traffic, and urgency from Sho-Silva brought a swiped and mishit pass from Rawson that Back made his own. He swept it low but Ripley was down smartly before Dennis could get there.

The set pieces were excellent, and Moxon was on the spot again with a swirler that evaded the keeper. Sho-Silva got to it, but his header from close range was agonisingly the wrong side of the woodwork.

Away pressure was relentless and the danger caused by Moxon's corners was there for all to see. He found Barclay on the sprint midway through the half with another pinpoint clip, but the defender was off balance and his volley from eight yards sailed over the bar.

Another Morecambe warning that they weren't out of it came in the way of a rasper from Hunter after his initial free kick had been cleared. He caught the strike on the sweet spot but it crunched past the angle of post and bar.

Quick feet from Moxon took him through a challenge from Delaney in the centre circle and he had Patrick in support. The forward adjusted his body shape but Ripley covered the angles to make the parry.

There were yellow cards for Connolly and Mellish after a late coming together saw the home substitute react angrily, as he was eased off the ball and into the advertising hoardings, and there was no further action as the whistle blew on an entertaining draw.

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Bookings

Morecambe - Connolly (84)

Carlisle United - Mellish (84)

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Teams

Morecambe -Ripley, Love, Melbourne (Connolly 71), L Gibson, Rawson, Delaney, Taylor, Fane, Gnahoua (McLoughlin 56), Hunter, Watts (Stockton 46). Subs - Smith (gk), Obika, McLaughlin, Cooney, O'Connor, McDonald.

Carlisle United - Holy, Barclay, Feeney (c), Mellish, Back (Hilton 73), J Gibson, Guy, Moxon (Devitt 84), Armer, Edmondson (Sho-Silva 46), Dennis (Patrick 67). Subs - Breeze (gk), Patrick, Whelan, Ellis, Bollado.

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Match officials

Referee - Sam Barrott
Assistant - Graeme Fyvie
Assistant - Daniel Jarvis
Fourth Official - Joe Goodwin

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Attendance - 1,430 (332)

Read Time: 6 mins