Report, highlights & reaction: Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Morecambe

The Shrimps slipped to a third straight 1-0 defeat at the Eco-Power Stadium in League Two.

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After the opening exchanges, the hosts looked certain to take the lead in the 18^th minute. A cross from the right wasn’t dealt with at the back post, striker Billy Sharp failed to convert from close range before Harry Clifton hit the post from six yards out and Morecambe scrambled the ball clear.

Rovers took the lead two minutes later, in a moment the Morecambe defence will want to forget.

Goalkeeper Stuart Moore took a heavy touch following a firmly hit back pass, allowing Clifton to nip in and score into an empty net.

Jordan Gibson went close to doubling the advantage on 24 minutes with a clever lob which bounced off the crossbar.

Controversy followed shortly before half time. Rhys Williams, on his debut from Liverpool, played a clever forward ball, that was flicked on into the path of Gwion Edwards, who ran clear of the Rovers defence before being pulled down by Brandon Fleming on the edge of the area.

The defender was lucky to escape with only a yellow card. The resulting free kick from Callum Jones was well saved by Ted Sharman-Lowe. 

The second half started with Rovers on the front foot, including an effort from Kyle Hurst that was deflected onto the post, while at the other end, Dave Tutonda forced Sharman-Lowe into two saves from in-swinging corners before Edwards again threatened to break through but saw his final effort blocked.

A late effort by home substitute Ephraim Yeboah was superbly cleared off the line by Jamie Stott,  before Shrimps sub Adam Lewis almost netted a leveller with a curling effort which sailed inches wide.

Doncaster Rovers: Sharman-Lowe, Sterry, Anderson, Olowu, Molyneux (Yeboah, 74'), Gibson (Hurts, 62'), Sharp (Ironside, 63'), Clifton, Bailey ©, Kelly (Sbarra 74'), Fleming.

Subs not used: Lawlor, Broadbent, McGrath.

Goals: Clifton (20').

Bookings: Fleming, Clifton.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie, Stott, Edwards (Tollitt, 78'), Macadam, Hope (Angol, 70'), Slew, Williams, Tutonda (A Lewis, 79'), Songo'o © (White, 79'), Jones.

Subs not used: Scales, Taylor, Millen.

Bookings: Tutonda, Songo'o, Slew, Hendrie.

Attendance: 6,833 (160 away).