Ian Dunbavin was brought in on loan at the back end of the 2003/2004 season when an injury to first choice goalkeeper Craig Mawson meant he was to be out of action for a few games.

Without a senior backup goalkeeper on the books, Dunbavin was seen as an ideal short term replacement. Ian only played three games for the club, the first being a 2-1 victory at home against Scarborough which was followed up with a 2-1 defeat at Chester City.

His Morecambe career ended in the following game when he picked up an injury in the 3-0 home defeat to Exeter City which saw him replaced by Mawson in the second half, never to be seen in a Morecambe shirt again.