Morecambe’s 13th 1-0 defeat of season leaves Shrimps still in relegation zone

Morecambe slipped to yet another 1-0 defeat – their 13th of the season – against Gillingham in League Two at the Priestfield Stadium.

It was a below par display from the Shrimps, who could have climbed out of the League Two relegation zone with a win, instead slipping to defeat thanks a winner from the hosts 11 minutes from time.

The first real chance of the game fell to Armani Little whose effort from the edge of the box was comfortable for Harry Burgoyne down to his left.

In a first half of little in the way of goalmouth action, Elliot Nevitt sent an effort over the bar, before five minutes from the break, Joe Gbode almost capitalised on a slip at the back, but again his effort failed to hit the target.

Gillingham upped their attacking intensity after the restart and could have had a penalty five minutes after half time. Jamie Stott’s challenge on Gbode in the area was deemed to be a fair one by the referee.

Burgoyne was then called into action to deny Gbode's curling effort from the edge of the box, tipping over at full stretch.

The Gills’ pressure finally told on 79 minutes. A long throw from the right caused issues in the Morecambe penalty area, Max Ehmer’s shot was blocked but the ball fell to Robbie Mackenzie, who fired the ball back towards goal, with the effort taking a huge deflection before nestling into the corner.

Morecambe didn’t manage to register a single effort on target for the whole game, as the Shrimps lost by one goal to nil for the thirteenth time this season, and are now three points from safety with 12 games of the season remaining.

Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, Ehmer, Little ©, Hawkins (Morgan, 61'), McKenzie, Smith, Nevitt, Gbode (Khumbeni, 88'), Gale.

Subs not used: Turner, Masterson, Nolan, Clarke, Dack.

Goals: McKenzie (79').

Bookings: Gbode, Nevitt, Morgan.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, Hendrie (Millen, 88'), Taylor, Stott, Macadam, Angol (Slew, 87'), Dallas (Edwards, 63'), Dackers, Cooke (A Lewis, 80'), Tutonda (Garner, 87'), Songo'o ©.

Subs not used: White, P Lewis.

Bookings: Tutonda, Hendrie.

Attendance: 5,612 (85 away).