MORECAMBE produced a much improved performance but suffered a second successive League 2 defeat.

After the 6-0 defeat at Crewe on the opening day boss Jim Bentley asked for a reaction from his players and he certainly got one but goals in each half from Pierce Sweeney and Jayden Stockley gave Exeter the points.

Boss Jim Bentley had made two changes from the Morecambe side humbled by Crewe Alexandra seven days earlier.

Andrew Tutte’s injury ruled him out while Rhys Oates was dropped to the bench.

In came Newcastle United loanee Josef Yarney for his debut, while Aaron Wildig played the support role behind Vadaine Oliver.

A brisk start from the Shrimps saw Steve Old head Liam Mandeville’s corner off target, Kevin Ellison miss his volley from Wildig’s fine cross and Oliver fire off target from 20 yards.

However, Exeter withstood that early pressure and began to gain a foothold with Nicky Law especially impressive in midfield until injury forced his early exit.

Jonathan Forte curled an effort wide, Hiram Boateng sent a free-kick narrowly off target and two penalty appeals came to nothing.

Jake Taylor saw a shot held by Morecambe keeper Barry Roche before the Shrimps should have taken a 34th minute lead.

Jordan Cranston’s 30-yard shot looked optimistic but it fell to Oliver, unmarked and six yards out, but his effort was well saved by the scrambling Exeter keeper Christy Pym.

The miss proved costly as, with half-time approaching, the Shrimps fell behind.

Lee Holmes outpaced Jordan Cranston down the left hand side and went down under his challenge on entry into the penalty area.

After a short debate between the officials about whether it was inside the box or not a penalty was belatedly awarded and Sweeney slotted home despite the best efforts of Barry Roche who went the right way.

As with the first half, the Shrimps had an opportunity from an early set piece as, on this occasion, Alex Kenyon met Mandeville’s corner but could not keep his header under the crossbar.

Zak Mills fired over from the corner of the Exeter area but the visitors doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Sweeney sent over an excellent cross from the right and Stockley converted from close range.

Bentley made changes with A-Jay Leitch-Smith, Lamin Jagne and Rhys Oates all brought in during the second half.

Leitch-Smith seeing a header superbly saved by Pym before the lively Rhys Oates fired off target after beating two men and cutting inside from the left.

He also fired over under pressure from Sweeney as, despite four minutes of added time, the Shrimps could not find a consolation.

Morecambe: Roche, Mills, Yarney, Old, Cranston, Fleming, Kenyon (Jagne 78), Mandeville, Wildig (Leitch-Smith 65), Ellison (R Oates 78), Oliver. Subs not used: Halstead, Conlan, Oswell, Hedley.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Martin, Brown, Moxey, Taylor, Law (Tillson 37), Boateng, Holmes (Martin 72), Stockley, Forte (Abrahams 83). Subs not used: Hamon, Woodman, Jay, J Oates.

Referee: Thomas Bramall.

Attendance: 1,654.