Ten-men Morecambe slip to bottom of League 2 after narrow defeat at Colchester

The ten men of Morecambe fell to a narrow defeat against Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Mandela Egbo netted the only goal of the afternoon on 65 minutes, to leave the Shrimps at the foot of the League Two table.

The first clear chance of the afternoon fell to the way of the hosts after Jamie McDonnell met a corner at the back post, but his free header was off target.

At the other end, David Tutonda sent the ball into the box and found Lee Angol who was unfortunate not to direct his header on target.

In the minutes that followed, Gwion Edwards made two back-post clearances in quick succession in order to deny the hosts an opener. 

On the 15-minute mark, Adam Lewis looped a searching ball over the top and it was Edwards able to latch onto it, but his strike hit the side netting. 

In the 33rd minute, Morecambe had a chance to go ahead after Lewis sent the ball into the busy penalty area finding Edwards who forced Matt Macey into a block with his close range effort. 

The Shrimps were reduced to 10 men deep into first half added time after Angol received a straight red card after a coming together between the forward and Colchester defender Ellis Iandolo.

It was a lively start to the second half for Colchester, as they were persistent in their attack on goal.

Jack Payne came close to finding the breakthrough in the 53rd minute but his effort was dealt with well by the Morecambe defence. 

The hosts had a few more opportunities on goal in the minutes which followed, as Tom Flanagan's header flew over the bar and Lyle Taylor’s effort was well held by Harry Burgoyne.

In the 61st minute, the ball fell kindly to Callum Cooke on the edge of the 18-yard box but his strike sailed over the bar. Minutes after, Edwards charged down the right flank and shot from a tight angle however he was unable to hit the target. 

In the 65th minute, Colchester found their breakthrough as Egbo released a strike that took a wicked deflection off the chest of Rhys Williams, which wrong footed Burgoyne and found the back of the net.

Determined to find the leveller, the Shrimps went on the attack and, with just over 15 minutes left to play, Edwards had the ball in the back of the net but it was quickly ruled out for offside. 

Derek Adams’ men continued their search for an equaliser when Marcus Dackers tried his luck from distance but could only drag the strike wide.

Jordan Slew then pulled the trigger in added time from outside the area, the ball narrowly whistled over the bar.

Colchester United: Macey, Iandolo, Kelleher (Taylor, 55'), Flanagan ©, Anderson (Thorn, 56'), Bishop (Read, 87'), Payne, McDonnell, Simpson (Tucker, 74'), Egbo, Edwards (Gordon, 87').

Subs not used: Smith, Terry.

Goals: Egbo (65').

Bookings: Bishop, Thorn, Taylor.

Red Cards: None.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, Hendrie, A Lewis (Slew, 78'), White (Macadam, 78'), Stott, Edwards (Dackers, 78'), Angol, Williams, Cooke (Tollitt, 71'), Tutonda, Songo'o © (Jones, 78').

Subs not used: Schofield, Taylor.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Hendrie, Tutonda.

Red Cards: Angol.