The Shrimps went down to a heavy defeat at high flying Rochdale.

Morecambe started well with Michael Twiss forcing Tom Heaton into a fine save after just two minutes and Dave Artell volleying over a Garry Hunter croiss a minute later.

But then it all went wrong as Rochdale scored two goals in quick succession. Chris O'Grady gave them the lead on 11 minutes after Will Atkinson's cross was deflected into his path.

They then added a second on 22 minutes when O'Grady won a flick on and Chris Dagnall ran on to round Barry Roche and slot the ball into the empty net.

Dagnall then hit the crossbar with a close range volley as Dale looked to extend their advantage.

Morecambe's hopes of a comeback were hit when Michael Twiss was forced to leave the field early with blood streaming down his face after a challenge with Jason Taylor. His replacement Aaron Taylor almost made an immediate mark with his first tough of the game as he diverted Garry Hunter's cross wide.

The pressure continued with Roche making two superb saves from O'Grady. But he could do nothing to prevent Rochdale scoring a third when Will Atkinson steamed in to head a left wing cross past the Morecambe keeper.

The Shrimps then enjoyed a spell on top with Mark Duffy and Craig Stanley firing just wide before Wayne Curtis scored a consolation goal with a cool finish.

But it was a rare moment of joy as Rochdale scored a fourth when Atkinson turned in Jason Kennedy's left wing cross from close range to add to Morecambe's woes

Shrimps' boss Sammy McIlroy is forced to make two changes for the visit to Spotland this afternoon.

Both strikers Phil Jevons and Paul Mullin are ruled out after picking up knocks against Accrington. Mark Duffy and Wayne Curtis come into the side.

Morecambe: Roche; Parrish, Artell, Haining, Wilson; Stanley, Drummond, Hunter, Twiss, Curtis, Duffy. Subs: Davies, Taylor, Moss, Bentley, Panther, Adams, Poole.

Rochdale: Heaton, McArdle, T Kennedy, Dawson, Stanton; Taylor, J Kennedy, Atkinson, Thompson, Dagnall, O'Grady. Subs:  Taberner, Flynn, Rundle, Toner, Glover, Higginbotham, Jones.

Ref: G Salisbury.

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