MORECAMBE went down to their first away league defeat of the season.

Goals in either half from Dan Jones and Jonathan Forte have the Magpies the three points as the Shrimps failed to score for the fourth time in five games.

Boss Jim Bentley made one change to the side that went down to Accrington last week with Aaron Wildig coming into the side in place of the suspended Vadaine Oliver.

The Shrimps played some neat football against the highly fancied home side but struggled to create many clear openings as they failed to score for the fourth time in five games.

The Shrimps went a goal down on 26 minutes through a superb Jones free kick. Michael Rose fouled Shola Ameobi just outside the Morecambe box and left back Jones stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and into the top left hand corner of Barry Roche’s goal.

The home side had created the better of the few chances on offer before the goal with Roche producing a flying save to palm away a curling effort from former Newcastle man Ameobi and the Shrimps were grateful to defender Aaron McGowan for a fine block from Terry Hawkridge’s shot on the left hand side.

Morecambe played some neat football without creating too many chances. The best came from a 25th minute corner when Rose found the unmarked Steven Old but he could only direct his header straight at Adam Collin.

The second half saw Morecambe again play some good passing football and they forced a string of corners in quick succession. But again Collin remained untested in the home goal with the Shrimps’ only effort being a Garry Thompson shot on the turn that skewed well wide of the Magpies’ goal.

As the Shrimps pushed forward they left gaps at the back and Notts County took advantage with a second goal five minutes from time. Substitute Jonathan Forte got behind Aaron McGowan for a free run on goal which ended with a perfectly placed shot to beat Roche from a tight angle.

Morecambe pressed for a late consolation goal and had their best spell of the game. Garry Thompson ran on to a long ball but saw his effort smothered by Adam Collin who raced from his line to foil the striker.

Two minutes later Elliot Osborne forced Collin into a fine save with a shot from the edge of the area that the keeper did well to block.

The Shrimps ended the game on the front foot but it was too little too late as the Magpies took the points.

Notts County: Collin, Hunt (rep Millsom 70), Brisley, Duffy, Jones, Hawkridge, Yates, Grant (rep Alkessandra 88), Hewitt, Stead, Ameobi (rep Forte 45). Subs not used: Fitzsimmons, Dickinson, Hollis, Smith.

Morecambe: Roche, McGowan, Winnard, Old, Brough, Muller, Rose (rep Osborne 46), Campbell, Thompson, Wildig (rep Ellison 67), McGurk (rep Lang 74).
Subs not used: Nizic, Lund, Fleming, Kenyon.

Ref: R Clark.

Att: 5,305.