FOR the second week in succession Morecambe were denied their first win of the season by a late goal.
A header from Craig Stanley just before the hour looked set to give Sammy McIlroy's side their first League 2 win of the campaign but then the defence stood still to allow Gillingham to get back into the game when Danny Spiller converted Chris Palmer's free kick at the far post.
The game began at a frantic pace with both sides having chances in the opening few moments.
Gillingham full back Barry Nutter drilled an effort over from 25 yards and Morecambe hit back with a Craig Stanley cross just too high for onrushing midfielder Andy Fleming.
The visitors then had the first real opening of the game when left winger Andy Barcham ran free of Darren Moss but was denied by an excellent save from Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche.
The Shrimps hit back with Phil Jevons forcing Lance Cronin into a decent save with a curling shot from the edge of the area that was heading for the bottom left hand corner of the visitors' goal.
Then it was Roche who had to be at his best again on three occasions with two brillinat blocks from Barcham and a fine tip over from Danny Spiller's fizzing drive.
Morecambe hit back in the second half with Fleming and substitute Paul Mullin both diverting headers wide of the target.
But as the hour loomed the Shrimps took the lead when Mark Duffy crossed from the left and Craig Stanley nipped in front of his marker to divert a header wide of Cronin's left hand.
Boss Sammy McIlroy stuck with the same side that went down to Burnley in midweek.
The visitors made four changes with both sides looking for their first League 2 win of the season.
Morecambe: Roche, Moss, Parrish, McCready, Wilson, Scott; Shuker, Duffy, Stanley, Fleming, Duffy, Jevons.
Subs: Walker, Spencer, Drummond, Bentley, Haining, Mullin, Hendrie.
Gillingham: Cronin: Fuller; Lawrence, SInclair, Palmer; Spiler, Payne, Bentley, Barcham, McDonald, Akinfewa. Subs: Julian, Nutter, Maher, McCammon, Rooney, Gowling, Payne.
Ref: M Brown.
