Shrimps go down fighting
Gillingham 2
Morecambe 1
AN injury time goal from veteran striker Dean Burton saw the Shrimps slump to a battling away defeat.
Burton produced a finish of pure quality after getting behind Chris McCready to rock the Shrimps who had matched the league leaders blow for blow.
Lewis Montrose hammered the Gills into the lead on 36 minutes. Danny Jackman swung in a corner from the right which Morecambe keeper Barry Roche punched weakly into the path of Montrose who made no mistake with a right foot finish from 12 yards out.
The goal came 10 minutes after the home side were twice denied the lead by goal line clearances. Skipper Adam Barrett was the man to be frustrated on two occasions with two headers blocked by Andy Parrish and Kevin Ellison in quick succession.
Morecambe had a golden chance to take the lead themselves on 30 minutes when Andy Fleming played in Izak Reid but he shot weakly at Stuart Nelson.
Morecambe started the second half brightly with Gary McDonald producing a dangerous cross which Kevin Ellison could only head weakly towards the goal.
Ellison threatened again a few minutes later with a half chance at the far post but he dragged his shot wide.
Shrimps’ sub Jack Redshaw pulled the Shrimps level with 68 minutes on the clock with his first touch of the ball after slotting home Ellison’s low cross.
Gillingham went close at the death when Charlie Allen shot inches wide on the turn and Kedwell missed the target with a free header before Burton produced a finish of true quality to earn his side the three points.
GILLINGHAM: Nelson; Fish, Davies, Barrett, Jackman; Whelpdale, Vincelot (rep Allen 63), Frampton (rep Burton 76), Montrose; Strevens (rep Weston 45), Kedwell. Subs not used: Essam, Lee, Birchall, Forecast.
Booked: Strevens.
MORECAMBE: Roche, Parrish, McCready, Fenton, Wright; Drummond, Fleming, McDonald, Brodie (rep Redshaw 65), Ellison, Reid (rep Alessandra 90). Subs not used: Arestidou, Parkinson, McGee, Threlfall
Booked: Fenton. Wright.
Ref: T Robinson