MORECAMBE 3 CITY 2

SO, whatever you think of the Checkatrade Trophy, at least we have a proper cup competition now.

City already knew they were through to the knock-out rounds after Bury failed to win in 90 minutes the previous night.

And despite a 3-2 loss at a bitterly cold and largely empty Globe Arena, Stuart McCall’s men will have home advantage as group winners when the second round draw is made this morning. Be grateful for small mercies.

But one special moment made the trip worthwhile for the 242 City loyals in the paltry 826 crowd.

Haris Vuckic warmed up a chilly night late on with a belter of a free-kick into the top corner that Gareth Bale would have been proud of.

It was the Slovenian’s second goal of the game and the right response after the FA Cup no-show against Accrington when he was subbed at half-time.

On a day that will go down in political history as the dawn of a new world order in America, Morecambe away in the final group game hardly registered a flicker on the news agenda.

But for City, and in particular the five players given a second chance from Saturday, it was about restoring reputations against another League Two opponent.

It was also a special night for the youngsters – which is surely this competition’s objective – as they handed full debuts to James King, Ellis Hudson and Tom Windle.

Rouven Sattelmaier, beginning his biggest week as a Bantam, was straight into action to get his body behind an awkward drive from Lee Molyneux.

Marc McNulty volleyed over Windle’s cross at the other end and Vuckic fired across goal.

Filipe Morais, another of those retained from the weekend, was a busy early presence before the contest settled into a tight battle largely played around the middle of the park.

James Meredith, on his welcome return, showed the athleticism that City have missed by nicking the ball off Cole Stockton in his own box and then appearing in Morecambe’s to get on the end of a Morais centre.

But a mix-up between the Portuguese and Windle nearly cost their side as Liverpool loanee Jack Dunn failed to make the most of the close-range opportunity.

Vuckic looked much more involved than Saturday’s peripheral figure and found Morais for a promising shooting chance – but the winger’s effort cleared the stand from the edge of the penalty area.

Morecambe’s new Brazilian owner had blamed cashflow issues for failure to pay the wages last week. But the Globe’s music man showed a wicked sense of humour with his half-time tunes “Money too tight to mention” and “Just can’t get enough”.

Nathan Clarke beat off the cold soon after the resumption by bravely sticking his head in the way of a thumping free-kick by Luke Conlan and then producing a smothering challenge on Stockton.

That second intervention proved even more crucial as City bounced upfield to score with their first shot on target, McNulty and Morais both involved before Vuckic lashed home on the half-volley.

He blew a kiss towards the away terrace behind the goal as a chorus of “Wembley” broke out among the 242-strong following.

But City’s lead lasted just two minutes before Paul Mullin, one of two half-time subs, wriggled past Windle before finding the bottom corner from a tight angle.

The action had livened up. Morais sent a dipping cross-shot onto the top of the net with keeper Danijel Nizic at full stretch and Dunn forced another watchful save out of Sattelmaier from distance.

City pressed again with a corner – which led to a Morecambe second. The kick from Morais was too flat and allowed the hosts to counter quickly.

With City back-pedalling, Dunn set up Stockton to calmly slot his team in front.

And it soon got even better for Morecambe and the on-loan Tranmere targetman as his 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection that gave Sattelmaier no chance.

Three goals in 14 minutes had turned the tie on its head – and Morecambe had not finished as Stockton planted a free header over.

City needed a goal to hang on to top spot – and got it with an absolute pearl of a set-piece from Vuckic from 25 yards.

It was a goal worthy of much more but still gave the evening some purpose in Bantam eyes.

MORECAMBE: Nizic 6, Wakefield 6, Edwards 7, Whitmore 6, Conlan 6, Murphy 7 (Rose 46min, 6), Fleming 6, McGowan 7, Molyneux 6 (Mullin 46min, 7), Dunn 7 (Turner 77min), Stockton 8. Subs (not used): Winnard, Wildig, Massanka, Roche.

CITY: Sattelmaier 6, Windle 6, McArdle 6, N Clarke 7, Meredith 6 (Wright 69min), Morais 7, King 7, Devine 7, Hudson 6 (Rabiega 76min), Vuckic 8, McNulty 5. Subs (not used): Webb-Foster, Boateng, Cracknell.