Report, highlights & reaction – Morecambe 2-5 Chesterfield

Morecambe remain rock bottom of League Two after a 5-2 defeat to Chesterfield at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

There’s highlights, reaction and more in the latest episode of The Shrimps Verdict podcast.

It was the visitors who took an early lead after just seven minutes, when Dilan Markanday’s effort from just outside the box took a wicked deflection and looped over Stuart Moore into the back of the net.

Morecambe were level less than two minutes later, as Ben Tollitt headed home an Adam Lewis free kick for his sixth goal of the season.

The Shrimps continued to be the better side for the rest of the first half, and saw efforts from Tom White and Dave Tutonda go close, as well as Marcus Dackers’ powerful strike which hit the side netting.

The visitors had the perfect start to the second half, regaining the lead in the 48th minute directly from Darren Oldaker’s free kick from just outside the box, which he curled into the bottom corner.

Callum Jones forced Max Thompson into action, before the Shrimps got back level just past the hour mark.

White sprayed the ball out to Lewis, who charged down the left-hand side before sending a low cross into the mix, only for defender Tom Naylor to put through his own net.

In the last 20 minutes of the contest, the Spireites found extra impetus in attack.

James Berry found himself in space to strike the ball into the far corner with just over 15 minutes left to play, and then in the 81st minute, Chesterfield extended their advantage through Armando Dobra, who finished well after a through pass from Berry sent him clear.

In final minute of normal time fellow substitute James Grimes rose highest at the far stick to convert a Liam Mandeville corner, to leave the Shrimps bottom of League Two with seven points from 14 games.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie, Lewis, White, Stott ©, Macadam, Williams, Tollitt, Dackers, Tutonda, Jones (Edwards, 80').

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Taylor, Hope, Harrack, Brown, Millen.

Goals: Tollitt (10'), Naylor OG (61').

Bookings: Dackers, Stott, White.

Red Cards: None.

Chesterfield: Thompson, Naylor ©, Araujo (Grimes, HT), Mandeville, Oldaker, Colclough (Berry, 65'), Gordon, Daley-Campbell (Dobra, HT), Markanday (Banks, 80'), Metcalfe, Madden (Grigg, 66').

Subs not used: Rinaldo, Jacobs.

Goals: Markanday (08'), Oldaker (48'), Berry (74'), Dobra (81'), Grimes (89').

Bookings: Markanday, Metcalfe.

Red Cards: None.

Attendance: 3,666 (960 away).