Motherwell scored with virtually the last kick of the ball to win their first match of the pre-season campaign so far.
Estonian trialist Henri Anier had put the Steelmen ahead after sixteen minutes before a Kevin Ellison shot deflected off Padraig Amond to level things on the half hour.
It stayed that way until the last minute when another trialist, young Jack Smith, got on the end of a Francis-Angol cross to head home despite the best efforts of Shrimps skipper Mark Hughes on the line.
It was a satisfying end to the day for McCall, who opted to mix the side up between the game in England and that in Cowdenbeath.
‘Well were missing the likes of James McFadden, Keith Lasley, Stevie Hammell and Simon Ramsden who were in Fife. The squad was peppered with a number of trialists including Frenchman Chris Gadi, Portuguese Toni Silva and Estonian Anier.
Summer recruit Gunnar Nielsen was named as goalkeeper and had to look smart early on to save from Stewart Drummond’s back post header.
The Faroese International was in action shortly after, stooping low to his right to turn around Andrew Fleming’s long-range effort although it may well have been dropping wide of the post.
It was to prove an important few stops as Motherwell would get themselves ahead just four minutes later.
Iain Vigurs collected a neat pass from Stephen McManus in middle of the park and immediately set the Steelmen on the attack. He sent a super pass through the home defence for Henri Anier, who had timed his run to perfection. The seven-times capped Estonian International kept his composure to round Roche and tuck into the empty net.
Morecambe didn’t let the goal get to them though, and were only denied a leveller four minutes later thanks to another excellent Nielsen save.
Kevin Ellison collected on the left flank, cut inside Fraser Kerr before unleashing a stinging drive that forced the former Blackburn and Man City stopper to turn over at full stretch.
Motherwell’s defence was eventually breached on the half-hour. Ellison was again involved. Stuart McCall will have been frustrated at how the wide man was able to squirm away from three markers on the right flank. His ball into the area would have been comfortable for Nielsen, but an unfortunate touch of both Amond and Stephen McManus left the keeper helpless.
Motherwell could and perhaps should have been ahead again within a minute. A defence mix-up allowed the Estonian in but Roche superbly turned around his low shot. To make matters worse, the match official gave a goal kick.
Iain Vigurs smashed a 40-yard shot narrowly wide before the Shrimps had the ball in the net via Ellison but he was clearly offside. Fleming had a long-range strike of his just before the interval but Nielsen was again on hand to turn it away.
‘Well started the second half on the front-foot and a quick thinking John Sutton free-kick provided Anier with another half chance but his low near post shot was well saved by Roche.
The second half was certainly quieter than the first, and it took until the 65th minute when Iain Vigurs blasted over. It came after good play on the right flank from substitute Toni Silva, who was introduced at the break in place of Gadi.
Nielsen was called into action for the first time in the second period with just seventeen minutes left on the clock. Sub Ryan Williams’ cross-cum-shot was certainly awkward but well dealt with by the Faroe Islander.
Silva must have thought he had won it for ‘Well when his shot from 6-yards beat Roche but some fantastic defending by another sub, Robbie Threlfall denied him, somehow sliding it off the line.
However, there would be a sting in the tail for the hosts as ‘Well netted with virtually the last kick of the ball.
Paul Lawson sent Francis-Angol on his way with a delicious diagonal ball towards the left flank. The Antiguan International held up a teasing ball to the back post where the lurking Jack Smith was waiting. The young trialist, son of former striker Andy, rose well and headed home despite the acrobatic efforts of Hughes.
It would end a good afternoon’s work for the Claret and Amber men, ensuring wins at both friendly matches some twelve days before the European opener at Fir Park.
Motherwell: Nielsen, Kerr, Francis-Angol, Lawson, Hutchinson, McManus, Gadi (Silva 45), Carswell, Sutton, Vigurs (Smith 84), Anier (McCafferty 77)
Subs: Stewart, Ferguson
Photography: Keith Fitton at www.shrimpsvoices.co.uk
