Morecambe miss chance to move out of League Two relegation zone after narrow Newport defeat

Morecambe remain in the League Two relegation zone after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Newport County.

There's highlights, reaction and more in the latest episode of The Shrimps Verdict podcast.

The Exiles took an early lead through Joe Thomas, Gwion Edwards then equalised on 79 minutes before David Ajiboye scored what proved to be the winner with eight minutes remaining.

Harry Burgoyne was called into action in the first few minutes with a fantastic save to tip over Thomas' volley from inside the box, before the Newport man opened the scoring minutes later.

Bobby Kamwa's shot from distance was initially saved by Harry Burgoyne, but Thomas reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted into an empty net from close range.

Morecambe then hit the bar twice in quick succession, firstly through captain Yann Songo’o with a cross-shot, before Callum Cooke's corner was headed down by Marcus Dackers into the path of Hallam Hope who headed against the bar from close range.

Former Morecambe man Shane McLoughlin came close to doubling the home side's advantage with a low drive from 20 yards, that flew narrowly wide, while at the other end Songo’o saw a drive blocked away.

Ten minutes before the break, the hosts came close to a second as Thomas's cross was flicked towards goal by Courtney Baker-Richardson, with the effort wide of the far post.

Morecambe started the second half very brightly and were camped inside Newport’s half in the opening stages, with a header from Dackers well kept out by Nick Townsend, before the home keeper pulled off another great save to tip over another Dackers header on the hour mark.

County were now playing on the break and nearly got a second through David Ajiboye who dragged an effort well wide.

On 79 minutes, the pressure paid off. A free kick was sent deep by Cooke, Andy Dallas struck a sweet volley that forced Townsend into an incredible reaction save before Edwards pounced quickly on the rebound.

Moments later, Dackers found himself through on goal but could only find the side-netting with his strike, before County netted what proved to be the winner.

A diagonal ball from Anthony Glennon was latched onto by Ajiboye, who controlled it inside the box and slipped an effort beyond Burgoyne.

Townsend was inspired from for the hosts, as he again was called upon to deny a powerful Dackers header on 86 minutes with a spectacular save before, moments later, getting his body behind a powerful, low strike from Cooke.

Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, Baker, Clarke ©, Kamwa (Hudlin, 84'), Baker-Richardson (Martin, 72'), Antwi, Thomas (Jameson, 88'), McLoughlin, Evans, Ajiboye.

Subs not used: Webb, Spellman, Mawene, Warner.

Goals: Thomas (08'), Ajiboye (82').

Bookings: None.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, Hendrie, Taylor, Stott (Tollitt, 90+1'), Macadam, Hope (Edwards, 53'), Dallas, Dackers, Cooke, Tutonda (A Lewis, 63'), Songo'o © (P Lewis, 90+1').

Subs not used: Schofield, White, Williams.

Goals: Edwards (79').

Bookings: Tutonda.

Attendance: 3,831 (61 away).