THE darkest day of Morecambe's season was followed by one of the brightest when Christie Park chief Jim Harvey signed Ged Brannan.

Harvey has chased the 33-year-old midfielder for some time and stepped up his hunt after Brannan (pictured) was released by Accrington Stanley in September.

Brannan has been training with the Shrimps and his signature is good news after they tumbled out of the FA Cup to Conference North outfit Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

That first round tie offered what seemed to be an ideal opportunity to reach the second round but those plans were shattered by an impressive Northwich outfit.

Harvey was disappointed with the loss but realises the need to look forward with ex-Football League side Cambridge United in town on Saturday for another testing Conference clash.

And speaking of Brannan, Harvey says: "He's experienced and is an excellent addition to our squad.

"We are always looking at quality players and Ged is just that. He will de an excellent job doe us."

Brannan and Harvey were in the same team at Tranmere in the early 1990s.

Brannan played 227 times for the Wirral club and big money moves followed to Manchester City, Motherwell and Wigan Athletic.

He moves to Morecambe two years after Harvey first tried to snap up Brannan from Wigan.

The Liverpudlian has been turning out for UniBond League Premier Division side Radcliffe Borough to keep his fitness levels up.

The cup win delighted Northwich boss Steve Burr, who claims his Conference North men gave the Shrimps a footballing lesson in the Christie Park crunch.

Burr says: "We were terrific all over the park and at times I think we gave Morecambe a footballing lesson.

"They came at us early on like I knew they would but we held on and gradually took a grip of the game.

"And we never looked in danger of losing.

"It was a tremendous performance and I am delighted for everyone at this club that we are in round two of the FA Cup."

The Northwich reward for their win at Morecambe is a trip to either Southport of Woking in round two of the competition.