Morecambe Reserves lost in the Central League against a very good Rotherham United outfit 4-1 at Roundwood on Tuesday afternoon.
Jason Oswell got the only goal for the Shrimps who, despite losing, put up a battling performance at Rotherham's bitterly cold training ground.
Rotherham's goals came through first team regulars Joe Newell and Jamie Proctor as well as one each for both Joshua Kayode and Regan Hutchinson.
The game's first chance fell the way of the hosts when Newell worked well on the left before crossing for Proctor whose header landed in the arms of Shrimps keeper David Szezepaniak.
Just moments later and Anthony Forde got to the byline and delivered a dangerous looking cross which just evaded Proctor's leap, but just 60 seconds later the hosts were in front.
Some neat footwork from Newell who worked himself a yard inside the area before bending an effort inside the post to give the hosts a lead in which they deserved.
Moments later Newell caused problems for the Shrimps back line but his effort this time went over the bar.
The Shrimps first real attempt of note came on 14 minutes when Oswell raced in behind the hosts defence and bent one just beyond Lewis Price and wide of the far post, before his low cross-cum-shot went wide.
Just after the half-hour mark the Shrimps were level, good play allowed Oswell to squeeze an effort inside the near post just out of the reach of Price.
The Shrimps were only level for two minutes as Forde beat Cole Edwards on the far side and he managed to cross for Kayode to head home to restore the hosts advantage.
Just before the break the Shrimps had two chances to level, first Oswell did brilliantly on the edge of the area and almost lobbed Price who managed to tip over before Price produced a fine stop to deny Ben Hedley whose free-kick was heading for the top corner.
Half-Time: Rotherham United 2-1 Shrimps
The second half began just like the first as the hosts created the first chance, Forde beat his man on the right and found Newell with a superb cross and the latter set up Ben Wiles whose effort from 20-yards was off target.
The Shrimps then hit the bar with a decent effort before Garry Thompson saw a powerful half volley blocked at the near post, before Proctor headed wide at the other end after some neat play by Forde.
Just sixty seconds after heading wide Proctor got on the score-sheet as he connected with Forde's brilliant corner to prod home at the back post to give the hosts a two goal cushion.
Forde then almost got on the score-sheet but his effort from a free-kick beat the wall but could only hit the post, the hosts did extend their lead and it was substitute Hutchinson who got it with his first touch.
A good ball from Wiles slid Hutchinson in on goal and he beat Szezepaniak with ease to extend the score to 4-1.
The Shrimps did try and get a consolation goal but couldn't find it as Rotherham claimed a comfortable win in the end.
Morecambe: Szezepaniak, Twiname, Edwards, Kenyon, Brownsword, Hedley
(capt), Thompson, Cuvelier, Oswell, Hawley, Medes Gomes.
Subs: Jumeau, Young, Jones, Codjovi, Price.