Our unbeaten run at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium came to an end with a defeat to Newport County AFC.
An end-to end first half saw two sides level at the break, with goals from Michael Mellon and Will Evans the highlights in an entertaining 45 minutes of football at the Mazuma.
A more subdued second half saw the visitors take their opportunity, heading home from a set-piece to ensure all three points were heading back to South Wales.
The opening period was not without controversy as the Shrimps saw no fewer than three penalty appeals waved away by referee Ross Joyce.
JJ McKiernan appeared to be bundled to the floor twice inside the Newport penalty box, as the 20-year-old terrorised the Ironsides backline.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute. McKiernan did well to maintain possession under duress, releasing Mayor down the left-hand side. He found Mellon in the area, who turned superbly under pressure and fired low beyond the outstretched Townsend for his ninth league goal of the season.
A half-chance for the visitors saw Will Evans lash his effort well over from 12-yards, before making amends just four minutes later. A goalmouth scramble saw several attempts on Smith’s goal repelled, before Evans fired home from close range.
The Shrimps were unlucky not to be level at the break, with McKiernan going agonisingly close from a corner, but the midfielder saw his header cannon off the woodwork and fly behind.
Half-time: Morecambe 1 Newport County 1
There was cause for concern for Ged Brannan’s men just five minutes into the second period as Michael Mellon went down clutching his neck, but after receiving on-field treatment, the Shrimps leading goal scorer was deemed fit to continue.
The home side had a golden opportunity to take the lead soon after, as Bloxham did excellently to break free on the right, flashing the ball across goal towards Mayor, who was just inches from turning the ball home.
It was the visitors, though, who would score the third of the match. Their aeriel pressure paid dividends, as an in-swinging delivery was nodded back across Smith’s goal and met by a diving Palmer-Houlden, who duly headed home.
Chances were few and far between as the encounter entered it’s latter stages, and neither XI were able to capitalise on their final opportunities, with the referee calling time on a narrow defeat for the Shrimps.
Full-time: Morecambe 1 Newport County 2
Morecambe: Smith, Tutonda (Melbourne, 79'), Bedeau, Rawson ©, Songo’o (Taylor, 79'), Bloxham, King, Mellon, McKiernan, Mayor, Senior.
Subs not used: Pedley, Slew, Stokes, Davenport, Walker.
Goals: Mellon (12').
Bookings: Mayor.
Red cards: None.
Newport County: Townsend, Payne, Delaney ©, Clarke, Evans (Charsley, 83'), Morris, Bogle, Bennett, Mcloughlin, Baker, Palmer-Houlden (Kiban Rai, 70’).
Subs not used: Waite, Wood, Maxted, Bondswell, Sanca.
Goals: Evans (28'), Palmer-Houlden (57').
Bookings: Bennett.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 2,982 (83 away).