Morecambe suffered a narrow defeat on the road on Tuesday evening, in a 1-0 loss to Cheltenham Town.
Ben Williams' first-half strike was the difference, despite the Shrimps creating a number of opportunties on goal, but just not able to break the hosts down.
The first real opportunity of the game fell to Morecambe on just three minutes, as Liam Shaw did well to win possession high up the pitch. Some good build-up play between Shaw and Jensen Weir allowed the Celtic loanee the space to shoot at goal from just outside the area, but his effort went high over the Cheltenham goal.
Morecambe were looking the better of the two sides in the early parts of the game, with the majority of play being in the Cheltenham half. The hosts caught the Shrimps out though with a counter-attack on ten minutes in a two v one situation. Charlie Brown played in Dan Nlundulu, and with the goal gaping, the forward hit the side netting.
Despite their early threat, Morecambe continued to impress, with Liam Gibson trying his luck from distance with a curling effort, but it was well saved by Luke Southwood.
As such, the Shrimps could count themselves unfortunate to go a goal down ten minutes before half-time. Ryan Jackson, who was looking impressive with his pace on the right for Cheltenham, found the room to drive a cross into the back post and find the oncoming Ben Williams, who was able to sweep the ball home and give the hosts the lead.
With that goal, Cheltenham grew in confidence and were able to nullify the threats posed by Morecambe, with the first 45 minutes ending with the Shrimps a goal behind.
Half-time: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Morecambe.
The Shrimps made two changes at half-time. Arthur Gnahoua and Dylan Connolly came on, with Derek Adams changing the system for the second half.
Cole Stockton had the ball in the back of the net on 49 minutes, with Liam Shaw playing a good pass to the forward to put him in on goal, but Stockton strayed just offside, with the linesman flagging for a free-kick.
As the half wore on, Morecambe were pushing hard for the all-important leveller. Caleb Watts was introduced to provide a spark in the attacking-third, but neither side were able to break each other down.
With five minutes added time given by the referee, Morecambe thought they'd gained a point when Caleb Watts thread through Kieran Phillips with a great pass. From a tight angle, Phillips decided to shoot only to agonizingly rattle the crossbar, with the fine margins just not with the Shrimps on the evening, as Cheltenham secured the three points.
Full-time: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Morecambe.
Cheltenham Town: Southwood, Williams, Raglan ©, Freestone, Brown (Norton, 58’), Sercombe, Nlundulu (Lloyd, 50’), Taylor, Jackson, Perry, Broom.
Subs not used: MacDonald, Bradbury, Adshead, Bonds, Olayinka.
Goals: Williams, 34’.
Bookings: None.
Red cards: None.
Morecambe: Ripley ©, Gibson (Mayor, 82’) , Rawson, Delaney (Gnahoua, 45’), Fane (McLoughlin, 78’), Stockton (Watts, 67’), Weir (Connolly, 45’), Bedeau, Shaw, Cooney, Phillips.
Subs not used: Smith, Love.
Goals: None.
Bookings: Connolly, Rawson, Fane.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 3,515