Report, highlights & reaction: Morecambe 0-1 Gillingham

Morecambe slipped to a narrow defeat in League Two after a much improved display at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

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The Shrimps had the better of the opening exchanges and had the first real opportunity of the match when Ben Tollitt rode several challenges on the edge of the area before unleashing a fierce drive which goalkeeper Jake Turner did well to turn behind.

Then, defender Jamie Stott came close to breaking the deadlock. A Callum Jones free kick was met at the back post, though Turner reacted well with a diving save.

Morecambe then had a great chance to open the scoring three minutes before the interval.

David Tutonda saw a pull back deflected into the path of Gwion Edwards, but his left footed effort flew narrowly wide of target.

A minute later, at the other end, a fantastic save from Stuart Moore kept the scores level after Jonny Williams took aim from distance.

Gillingham came out strongly in the second half, but aside from an effort from distance by Jack Nolan, the Morecambe defence kept the opposition’s attacks at bay.

The Gills continued to test the Morecambe back line in the opening 15 minutes of the second half with a number of crosses sent into the mix, all of which Moore was equal to.

At the other end, Tollitt looked to curl one from distance over the angle, before a Harvey Macadam drive also missed the mark.

Mark Bonner's men took the lead on 76 minutes.

From the second phase of a corner, Shad Ogie saw an effort well saved by Moore, but the ball fell kindly to a Gillingham shirt, and a square ball found substitute George Lapslie in space inside the six yard box, and he made no mistake.

In stoppage time, Olly Hawkins headed powerfully onto the crossbar from a Lapslie right wing cross.

The result leaves the Shrimps without a point from their opening two games, ahead of a trip to Doncaster Rovers next Saturday.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie (Millen, 90+1'), White (Slew, 68'), Stott, Edwards, Macadam, Hope, Tollitt (Angol, 80'), Tutonda (A Lewis, 90+1'), Songo'o ©, Jones.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Taylor, Dobson.

Goals: None.

Bookings: None.

Red Cards: None.

Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark, Ehmer ©, Nolan (Gbode, 81'), Little, Williams (Lapslie, 62'), McKenzie, Clarke, Ogie, Wakeling (Hawkins, 62').

Subs not used: Morris, Wyllie, Gbode, Giles, Waldock.

Goals: Lapslie (76').

Bookings: Hutton, Lapslie.

Red Cards: None.

Attendance: 3,611 (404 away).