Morecambe hit back to deny Manning winning start at Oxford

A late goal from Ash Hunter denied Liam Manning a winning start as Oxford boss and earned Morecambe a valuable point.

Manning’s reign looked set to begin with a vital victory over fellow strugglers Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium until Hunter struck three minutes from time with a low shot from just inside the area that beat Simon Eastwood low to his right.

After nine defeats in the last 10 games new boss Manning, who took over on Monday, saw his side take the lead four minutes before the break.

Yanic Wildschut broke into the Morecambe box down the left and produced a dangerous cross into the area which was met by Marcus Browne, who broke free of marker Adam Mayor to slot the ball home from close range.

The Us almost doubled their lead in injury time as Cameron Brannagan curled in a free-kick from the left that was heading for the goal but cleared off the line by Farrend Rawson.

Browne went close to adding a second for his side in the second half with a long-range shot that fizzed inches wide of Ripley’s right-hand post.