Morecambe's poor away run continues
MORECAMBE’S poor away form continued with their second defeat of the season to struggling Plymouth.
Jim Bentley’s side enjoyed the greater share of the possession but a mixture of shocking defending and poor finishing proved costly as the home side collected a vital three points in this fight for survival.
Morecambe had the worst possible start as they conceded two soft early goals.
The first came after just 10 minutes. Gary McDonald failed to clear his lines and Conor Hourihane took full advantage with a sweet right foot strike that flew into the left hand corner of Barry Roche’s goal.
Five minutes later the home side doubled their advantage after some more poor Morecambe defending. A mix up between Izak Reid and Andy Parrish allowed Ronan Murray a clear run down the left and his low cross was slotted home from close range by Paris Cowan-Hall
Morecambe hit back with Kevin Ellison forcing Rene Gilmartin into a sharp save with his legs and Izak Reid being set free on goal by Lewis Alessandra, only to slide the ball across goal rather than go for the shot.
The Shrimps’ pressure continued after the break with Jordan Burrow missing a golden chance when he failed to find the target from six yards out when found by a perfect Robbie Threlfall cross.
The dominance finally came to fruition when the Shrimps pulled a goal back on 79 minutes through newcomer Ryan Williams. The midfielder let fly with a superb, dipping effort from 25 yards that gave Gilmartin no chance as it flew into the top left hand corner.
Morecambe then wasted another golden chance to take a point when Jack Redshaw and Burrow got in each others way as they failed to beat Gilmartin from close range.
Plymouth almost added a third on the break when Murray hit the post but it did not matter in the end as Argyle pinched the points.
Plymouth: Gilmartin; Berry, Nelson, Branston, Bhasera; Cowan-Hall, Hourihane, Blanchard (rep Young 90), Lowry (rep Wotton 78); Feeney (rep Harvey 7), Murray. Subs not used: Cole, Williams, Griffiths, Lennox.
Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Haining, Fenton, Threlfall (rep Redshaw 76); Reid (rep Drummond 32), McDonald rep Williams 68), Fleming, Ellison; Burrow, Alessandra. Subs not used: Arestidou, McGee, Parkinson, McCready.
Booked: Parrish, Fenton.
Sent off: Parrish.
Ref: T Robinson.
Att: 6,401.