Morecambe 1-2 Carlisle United: Blues comeback in Trophy

Substitute O'Donoghue, 17, scored his first senior goal moments after coming off the bench, and fit-again Williams then capped his return from injury with the winner.

The double salvo overturned Morecambe's lead which had come through ex-Blues forward Hallam Hope in the first half.

Carlisle grew into the game after the break with some of their young players performing brightly, while Kadeem Harris put in a positive first-half display.

Hope punished United's faulty playing from the back in the 16th minute, in front of a 788 crowd including 155 fans.

Youth team forward O'Donoghue then levelled with his first touch on 75 minutes, converting a Williams cross.

And then Williams, who had come on at half-time for his first outing in two months following a knee injury, then buried a Luke Armstrong cross for the winner. 

Ben Williams converts United's winner (Image: Richard Parkes)

It saw Carlisle win two games in a row in all competitions for the first time since March 2023 even though they were unable to reach the knockout stages of the competition thanks to their two previous defeats in northern group C.

Williamson made ten changes from Saturday's league XI, with Armstrong the only player retained in the side.

There was a first start for new signing Kadeem Harris, and outings for Harry Lewis, Cameron Harper, Taylor Charters, Josh Vela, Jack Ellis and Ben Barclay, along with teenagers Sam Hetherington and Jake Allan amid their loan spell at Workington Reds.

The bench included fit-again Williams, with keeper Jude Smith also in the squad along with Harrison Neal and four youth team players.

United were without Terell Thomas as he heads off for international duty with Saint Lucia, something which will also see him miss Saturday's league trip to Bromley, while those rested included Gabe Breeze, Jon Mellish, Aaron Hayden, Sam Lavelle, Callum Guy, Harrison Biggins, Dominic Sadi, Daniel Adu-Adjei and Tyler Burey, Ethan Robson also not involved despite being eligible to play amid his three-game league suspension - Williamson later saying the midfielder has another injury concern.

Morecambe boss Adams made 11 changes with ex-United striker Hope among the home line-up and 16-year-old defender Nathan Snowball handed his first senior start.

Carlisle made the more positive start with Harris showing some bright early touches.

On seven minutes he left Kayden Harrack for dead before linking with Armstrong, Hetherington then firing wide from the edge of the box.

Hallam Hope, left, gave Morecambe the lead (Image: Richard Parkes)

Moments later Armstrong headed a Vela chance over the bar but Carlisle then began playing themselves into trouble, Barclay caught by Harvey Macadam as Morecambe threatened.

Keeper Lewis then sent a pass straight to Hope, who tried and failed to chip  the United No1 from distance.

But moments later Carlisle's passing at the back caused more problems and duly Morecambe intercepted in the box and Hope fired home.

The Shrimps looked for another, Hope and Slew seeing crosses narrowly fail to find their target and Ross Millen seeing a shot blocked.

Carlisle had plenty of possession but much of it was in their own half without much attacking threat, while they almost played their way into trouble again when Charters' pass allowed Macadam to attack the Blues' box before feeding Hope, who shot into the side-netting.

Armstrong was denied in the Morecambe box after Harris and Vela combined, before Paul Lewis went close for the hosts when a cross broke his way via Barclay's touch.

Hetherington, who showed some bright touches, forced a good save from home keeper Harry Burgoyne at the end of the first half.

Williams made his comeback appearance at the start of the second half, as he replaced Harris and Charters pushed forward into a more attacking position.

Hope got the better of Robinson as Morecambe attacked down the right, Carlisle battling to concede a corner.

Then United came close to levelling when Williams broke the offside trap down the left and his cross broke for Armstrong, but his finish was blocked by Harrack and Hetherington shot the rebound narrowly wide.

United fans, left, in the small crowd at Morecambe (Image: Richard Parkes)

And Carlisle then should have scored when ref Ed Duckworth played an advantage after Paul Lewis's foul on Hetherington, as Charters' shot was parried by Burgoyne into Armstrong's path but the striker could not convert.

Williamson then introduced youth defender Hayden Atkinson and Neal from the bench, while Gwion Edwards later went close for Morecambe after coming on.

Williamson then introduced teenager Jonah Lowes for his senior debut, O'Donogue also coming on.

And within moments the Isle of Man youngster O'Donoghue had shot Carlisle level - and Armstrong went on to set up Williams with a cross from the right.

Carlisle held on for victory, Harry Lewis denying namesake Adam and fellow Shrimps sub Charlie Brown, Armstrong then denied a strong late penalty shout as United claimed victory.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, Harrack, Snowball (A Lewis 66), Ray (Tollitt 86), Taylor, Songo’o (White 80), P Lewis, Macadam, Millen, Hope (Brown 80), Slew (Edwards 66). Not used: R Williams, Dobson.

Goal: Hope 16.

Booked: Snowball.

United: Lewis, Barclay (Atkinson 62), Ellis, Robinson, Allan, Charters (O’Donoghue 75), Harper (Neal 62), Hetherington, Vela (Lowes 74), Harris (B Williams 46), Armstrong. Not used: Smith, Hopper.

Goals: O’Donoghue 75, Williams 77.

Ref: Edward Duckworth.

Crowd: 788 (155 United fans).