Shrimps suffer first defeat in five
A MINUTE of madness saw the Shrimps slump to their first defeat in five games this evening.
Two goals in a minute in the second half from Daniel Nardiello gave the home side the victory after the Shrimps had looked in good shape after taking the lead on the half hour.
Morecambe did have to survive some early pressure with keeper Roche forced into excellent saves.His first came from Kari Arnason's 20 yard drive before he spread himself well at his near post to save an effort from Blackpool loanee Bob Harris with his legs.
The Shrimps also survived a good penalty claim when Nick Fenton brought down Ian Sharps in the area but the referee waved play on.
Redshaw was a constant threat at the other end for Morecambe and he went close on 23 minutes when he was played in by Ellison but his final shot flew inches wide of the left hand post with Warrington beaten.Kevin Ellison fired Morecambe ahead on 29 minutes after a cool finish from a swift Morecambe counter attack. Jack Redshaw was the provider with a perfectly weighted through ball for Ellison who finished the move with a left foot finish past Andy Warrington.
The Shrimps looked good value for the lead at the break with Redshaw close to adding a second but were undone by a quick brace from former Blackpool man Nardiello.
He was gifted his opener on 64 minutes when a Morecambe defensive clearance fell perfectly for him six yards out and he made no mistake to slot the ball past Roche.
The goal clearly rocked the Shrimps and within seconds they were 2-1 down. Harris crossed from the left and Nardiello slid in front of his marker to score from close range.
The Shrimps had one excellent chance to hit back but Stewart Drummond headed wide from a well worked Andy Fleming corner when he should have done better.
It was Rotherham who looked the more likely to score however with Nardiello wasting a glorious chance to clinch a hat trick when he dragged a shot wide with only Roche to beat.
Rotherham: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Morgan, Harris; Ainsworth, Arnason, Frecklington, Pringle (rep Agard 90); Revell, Nardiello (rep Odejayi 88). Subs not used: Thomson, Taylor, O’Connor, Evans, Bradley.
Morecambe: Roche; McCready (rep Reid 74), Fenton, Haining; Wright, Mustoe, Drummond, McDonald; Fleming; Ellison; Redshaw (rep Burrow 69), Alessandra. Subs not used: Arestidou, McGee, Doyle, Parkinson, Parrish.
Booked: Wright, Ellison
Att: 5,632.