Morecambe slip to Notts County defeat to remain in League Two relegation zone

Morecambe remain in the League 2 relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat at high-flying Notts County at Meadow Lane.

There’s highlights, reaction and much more in the latest episode of The Shrimps Verdict podcast, out now via your platform of choice.

Morecambe manager Derek Adams made five changes to the starting up from the fixture against Newport County in midweek, including handing a debut to goalkeeper Ryan Schofield.

Charlie Whittaker called Schofield into early action after just five minutes, as his fierce  strike from the edge of the box was well kept out down to his right.

Alassana Jatta’s header went wide from a free kick, before at the other end, a David Tutonda low cross across goal just took a deflection from a trailing Jacob Bedeau foot, before Andy Dallas could tap it in at the back post.

Dallas had further first half efforts – one straight at goalkeeper Alex Bass, and another header which looped onto the roof of the net.

The Shrimps had a huge chance to take the lead on 37 minutes. Tutonda’s through ball found Lee Angol in space in the area, but his low effort crashed back off the base of the post.

The Magpies turned up the pressure in the second half, and after Dallas saw a curling effort fly just over the bar, the deadlock was broken on 66 minutes.

Will Jarvis crossed low from the left side, but Schofield could only parry the ball into the path of Charlie Whitaker, who finished into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Just five minutes later, a big chance for the Shrimps to equalise went begging as Dackers broke through on goal, but his strike was saved by the foot of Bass.

With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Jatta doubled the home side's advantage, shrugging of challenges of Max Taylor and Tutonda, before rounding Schofield and tapping into an empty net.

The Shrimps now have three consecutive home games, starting with the visit of Accrington Stanley to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday (February 15).

Notts County: Bass, Gordon (Johnson, 81'), McDonald, Bedeau, Platt, Jones (Jarvis, 25'), Whitaker, Palmer ©, Edwards (Grant, 73'), Jatta (Hinchy, 81'), Abbott.

Subs not used: Slocombe, Cundy, Cisse.

Goals: Whitaker (66'), Jatta (75').

Bookings: Abbott.

Morecambe: Schofield, Hendrie ©, Taylor, Edwards, Macadam, Angol (Dackers, HT), Williams, Dallas, P Lewis, Cooke (Tollitt, 82'), Tutonda.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, White, Stott, Hope, Songo'o.

Bookings: P Lewis, Dallas, Tutonda, Cooke, Taylor.

Attendance: 9,909 (239 away).