MORECAMBE slumped to their third successive League 2 defeat with a quality goal from Michael Timlin adding to the Shrimps’ frustrating start to the campaign.

In a game of few chances Stevenage took the points with Timlin’s 44th minute goal. The experienced midfielder took the ball 25 yards from goal and curled a delightful left foot effort into the top right hand corner of the Morecambe goal.

It was a rare moment of quality in a game that saw plenty of effort but few clear cut chances.

Stevenage started the quicker with Kurtis Guthrie directing a header straight at Roche and James Ball seeing a shot beaten down before Morecambe bagged to cause the home side problems of their own with Kevin Ellison denied a shot on goal by a superb covering tackle from Scott Cuthbert.

Ellison threatened again and forced a fine save from Paul Farman who parried away a shot that was heading for the bottom left hand corner.

But as the Shrimps began to get on top Stevenage scored with Timlin’s well executed effort to stun the visitors.

Morecambe started the second half well ad should have had a penalty when Josef Yarney’s shirt was clearly pulled in the box from a left wing. Corner.

Ellison went close again when put through by Aaron Wildig but after dragging the ball onto his left foot shot could only clip an effort wide.

As the Shrimps went forward Stevenage threatened a second with Roche making a stunning save from Cuthbert’s close range header but despite a triple substitution they couldn’t find a way past the Stevenage defence.

Stevenage: Farman, Wildin, Cuthbert, Nugent, Hunt, Ball (rep Ferry 64), Byram, Timlin, Sonupe (rep Kennedy 67), Revell, Guthrie. Subs not used: Dieng, McKee, Reid, Henry, Wilkinson.

Morecambe: Roche, Mills, Old, Yarney, Conlan, Fleming (rep Tutte 76), Ellison (rep Oates 76), Wildig, Mandeville, Leith-Smith, Oliver (rep Oswell 76). Subs not used: Halstead, Kenyon, Tutte, Hedley, Cranston.

Ref: M Donohue.

Att: 2,030.