Shrimps sunk by single goal
MORECAMBE went down to a narrow defeat at title chasing Chesterfield this evening.
The Shrimps went down to the only goal of the game through Jay O'Shea on 19 minutes when he headed a right wing cross past Barry Roche from close range.
The goal itself came after Morecambe had enjoyed a bright start and were arguably looking the more likely to score.
The Shrimps started the game on the front foot and almost shocked the Spireites in the second minute of the game. A right wing corner was only half cleared and the ball bounced into the path of Padraig Amond but he could only direct his close range header straight at home keeper Tommy Lee.
Chesterfield then showed just why they are so highly rated this season as they hit back with some fine, attacking football.
On loan Derby youngster Mason Bennett flashed a cross across the Morecambe six yard box and moments later Eoin Doyle afailed to find the target from close range after being played in behind the Morecambe defence.
The Shrimps played some good football in the first half without really threatening Tommy Lee's goal but they were second best for long periods of the second half as they gave the ball away far too cheaply and had to work hard to get it back.
The home side dominated the second half and had it not been for some excellent saves from Roche they could have own by a greater margin.
The Morecambe keeper, playing against his former club, produced a stunning save from Doyle on 56 minutes after some more neat play from Chesterfield on the edge of the Morecambe box.
The impressive midfielder Sam Morsy then went close on two occasions to adding to Chesterfield’s lead. On 75 minutes he curled an effort inches over before hitting the crossbar four minutes later with a superb strike from 25 yard.
Morecambe’s only effort of any note came when Kevin Ellison tried his luck from long range but saw his effort fly wide of the right hand post.
Chesterfield ended the game on top and took a step closer to League 2 promotion while Morecambe sit six points clear of the drop zone.
* THE Shrimps included teenager Daniel Dunleavy in the squad due to a host of injuries.
Andy Fleming was ruled out with a knee injury and Joe McGee was also forced to miss the game with Jamie Devitt who was not allowed to play against his parent club.
Chesterfield: Lee, Darikwa, Evatt, Cooper, Humphreys, Bennett (rep Roberts 63), Morsy, Kearns, O’Shea (rep Banks 71), Ryan, Doyle (rep Richards 63). Subs not used: Dunbavin, Hird, Talbot, Gnanduillet.
Morecambe: Roche, Wright, Hughes, Edwards, Threlfall, Diagne, Marshall (rep Redshaw 56), Kenyon, Williams, Ellison, Amond (rep Sampson 69). Subs not used: Arestidou, McCready, Dunleavy, Doyle, Mwasile.
Ref: M Naylor.