Spotlight on the opposition: Morecambe

MORECAMBE'S hopes of a money-spinning FA Cup second round tie against Norwich were dashed as they went down to an early Carlisle goal in an exciting first round replay at Christie Park on Tuesday.

The Shrimpers currently lie 19th, two places above Cheltenham, in the Coca-Cola League Two standings.

Cheltenham were 3-2 winners at Christie Park in an FA Cup second-round tie last season, but the clubs are yet to meet in a Football League fixture.

Goals from Dale Watkins and Neil Grayson earned the Robins a 2-0 win at Morecambe in the Conference title-winning season of 1998-99.

Morecambe are in their third season as a League club having clinched promotion via the Conference play-offs in 2007 after finishing third.

Former Northern Ireland international player and manager Sammy McIlroy has been in charge of the Lancashire club since 2006, when he took over from former Forest Green boss Jim Harvey.

Midfielder and vice-captain Stewart Drummond is suspended for tomorrow's match against Cheltenham after his sending off in the original tie against Carlisle for kicking out at Adam Clayton.

Drummond recently netted his 50th goal for the club.

Tomorrow will mark Cheltenham's final visit to Christie Park, barring a miraculous recovery for both clubs to reach the play-offs.

Work has started on Morecambe's new stadium in Westgate.

The club is due to move to the new 7,000 capacity home for the start of next season, with Sainsbury's having bought the current ground on which they hope to build a new store.

MORECAMBE: (possible) B Roche; G Hunter, A Parrish, W Haining, D Artell, L Wilson; C Stanley, M Twiss; P Mullin, P Jevons. Subs: S Davies, M Duffy, D Moss, D Adams, W Curtis, H McStay, N Wainwright.