Morecambe on brink of relegation from Football League after Bromley defeat

Ten-men Morecambe slipped to the edge of relegation from League Two after a 1-0 defeat at Bromley.

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The Shrimps recorded their tenth straight away defeat at Hayes Lane on Good Friday, and their 15^th 1-0 loss of the season, to slip eight points from safety in the relegation zone with a possible nine to play for.

Bromley carved out the first real chance of the game on 17 minutes, as Kamarl Grant's powerful strike from distance forced Harry Burgoyne to take action before the goalkeeper denied a close-range header from the resulting corner.

Midway through the first half, a chance fell to the Shrimps, as Ben Tollitt's cross from the right found Paul Lewis in the box, but his header lacked power.

Morecambe’s defence was then caught on the break just before the half hour mark, as Danny Imray moved into the box before pulling the trigger, but an excellent save from Burgoyne kept the scoreline blank.

After a goalless first half, the Shrimps found themselves behind just moments into the second period.

David Tutonda tripped a Bromley man in the box, and up stepped Michael Cheek to blast the resulting penalty into the back of the net.

Morecambe looked to get back on terms and had several presentable opportunities to do so.

Lee Angol skipped his way through the Bromley backline before forcing Smith into a smart save, before a golden opportunity went begging as Angol muscled his marker off the ball and played through Andy Dallas, only for his chip over the keeper to be saved by the keeper.

Then, from the resulting corner, Max Taylor's seemingly goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Ashley Charles.

Moments after the hour mark, a venomous strike from Callum Jones nearly crept into the bottom corner, but Smith again was on hand to make the save.

Morecambe were reduced to ten men midway through the second half, as Tutonda, already on a booking, was shown a second yellow card for dissent.

The Shrimps struggled to make much of an impact in the final third in the closing stages, aside from a Marcus Dackers header in stoppage time that was held by Smith.

Morecambe will be mathematically relegated to the National League if they fail to beat Salford City on Easter Monday at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Bromley: Smith, Elerewe, Charles, Sowunmi, Cheek ©, Grant, Arthurs, Congreve (Ilunga, 62'), Imray (McKirdy, 82'), Odutayo, Thompson (Whitely, 62').

Subs not used: Long, Kabamba, Mayor, Kacurri.

Goals: Cheek (48').

Bookings: Sowunmi, Charles.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, A Lewis, White, Taylor, Stott (Tutonda, 42'), Angol (Dackers, 79'), Dallas (Hope, 65'), P Lewis, Tollitt, Songo'o ©, Jones (Slew, 78').

Subs not used: Schofield, Dobson, Fairclough.

Bookings: Tutonda, Songo'o, P Lewis.

Red Cards: Tutonda.

Attendance: 2,382 (213 away).