Quick-fire double gives Worksop victory over Morecambe after cup apology

Sunday 11 October 2026 · By Glen Marsland

Worksop Town have given Craig Parry the response he wanted. A week after their manager apologised to supporters following a 3–0 FA Cup exit, the Tigers beat relegated Morecambe 2–1 in the Enterprise National League North on Saturday.

The game was settled in a frantic spell of around 90 seconds midway through the first half. Kian Harratt opened the scoring on 20 minutes, and Oli Greaves added a second almost straight away. Morecambe pulled one back through Matty Daly on 66 minutes, but goalkeeper Max Dearnley made a key late save to protect the lead in front of a crowd of 820. Greaves was named man of the match.

The win was not without controversy. Morecambe manager Adam Lakeland claimed that Harratt elbowed Cameron Coxe in the build-up to Worksop’s second goal and should have been sent off. Worksop’s goals stood, and the Tigers took the points.

It was the perfect reply after a painful week. On 3 October Worksop lost 3–0 at home to FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup third qualifying round. Parry described the display as timid, and told the Worksop Guardian: “It’s my responsibility.” He added that he would “go back to the drawing board and look to change a bit on personnel and how we want to play”.

That defeat ended a cup run that had included a thrilling 5–2 extra-time win over AFC Telford United in a second qualifying round replay on 23 September.

The victory over Morecambe lifts Worksop to 15th on 15 points from 11 games. They have won five and lost six, with no draws, and have scored 12 goals and conceded 17. A run of results would quickly take them into the top half, with the sides around them separated by just a point or two.

Parry has the backing of the club. He signed a new three-year deal in June 2026, and the squad is led by club captain Andrew Boyce. Jordan Cropper is among the players who have joined the club.

The Tigers will be in league action this weekend. They travel to Buxton on Saturday 17 October, with Buxton sitting tenth, a point above Worksop. A win there would take them above their hosts.

After that, Worksop go to promoted Harborough Town on Saturday 24 October, before hosting King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday 27 October. That is a demanding run, with Lynn in the play-off places and Harborough in fine form.

The two goals came at exactly the right moment. Morecambe arrived with a strong home record but had lost four away games, and Worksop took full advantage of a short spell when the visitors lost their concentration. Dearnley’s late save then ensured the Tigers held on for a deserved win.

Parry promised changes after the FA Cup exit, and Saturday suggested that the message has got through. The challenge now is to build some consistency, and if Worksop can follow up their win over Morecambe with a positive result at Buxton, the mood around the club will be transformed.