Former Farnborough manager Graham Westley's first match in charge of Stevenage ended in a draw at home to Morecambe.

Westley took over at the club with the aim of taking them out of the relegation zone but they will need to do better if they are to achieve that.

Both goals came in the space of a couple of minutes early in the first half.

Stevenage took the lead after nine minutes when Richards netted the rebound after a shot from Gary Holloway, who has followed Westley from Farnborough to Broadhall Way, had hit the woodwork.

But just a couple of minutes later Morecambe were level.

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Lionel Perez, another new Stevenage recruit, had made a superb save to tip away Stuart Drummond`s free-kick for a corner.

From Gary Thompson`s flag-kick, however, Michael Stringfellow drove the ball past Perez and into the net.

Just before half-time, Perez again showed his quality as he turned aside a Danny Carlton header.

The Frenchman also did brilliantly in the second half to deny Jim Bentley as Morecambe carved out the better chances, while Adriano Rigoglioso hit the woodwork for the visitors.

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Stevenage: Perez, Gregory, Bunce, Laker, Warner, Holloway, Carroll, Watson, Wormull, Richards, Charlie MacDonald. Subs: Gray, Wilson, McMahon, Gary MacDonald, Travis.

Morecambe: Mawson, Morgan, Bentley, Swan, Perkins, Drummond, Rigoglioso, Thompson, Stringfellow, Elam, Carlton. Subs: Murphy, Talbot, Black, Curtis, Hallam.

Referee: N Perkins (Gravesend)