A relentless second half display saw the Shrimps score four times to claim a dominant victory over AFC Wimbledon.
Michael Mellon netted 30 seconds into the second half before converting a penalty on 61 minutes. His hat-trick was completed with two minutes of normal time remaining, while Armani Little’s 72 minute goal proving nothing more than a consolation.
Some nice build-up play from the Shrimps on five minutes saw Jacob Davenport produce the first shot of the game after turning well into space, though the midfielder couldn’t keep his effort down.
It was nearly advantage Morecambe on 12 minutes when Joel Senior’s long throw was flicked on inside the box by JJ McKiernan, Michael Mellon got a touch before Jordan Slew’s attempt on goal was cleared by a visiting defender.
A big opening for the visitors came moments later as Ali Al-Hamadi’s powerful cross into the mix from the right just about evaded the onrushing attacker at the back post.
Al-Hamadi was pivotal in another chance for AFC Wimbledon on 22 minutes. After twisting and turning away from Morecambe defenders, his eventual shot was blocked at close range before Adam Smith was quick off his line to claim possession.
At the other end, Tom Bloxham was expertly picked out by Slew at the back post, though a crucial intervention from a Dons’ defender took the ball right off Bloxham’s boot and away to safety.
The away side were inches away from taking the lead at the half-hour mark as, after rising highest to meet the cross, Joe Lewis’ header sailed narrowly over Smith’s crossbar.
Senior produced a piece of defensive magic to keep the game level on 41 minutes. Smith’s initial save from a powerful strike fell to the feet of Al-Hamadi, his rebound looked destined to find the back of the net, but there was Senior to clear off the line.
With seconds of first half added time remaining, James Tilley managed to turn and get the shot off from distance; a deflection from a Morecambe man took the sting out of the strike which went behind for a corner.
Half-time: Morecambe 0 AFC Wimbledon 0
It was the perfect start to the second half for Derek Adams’ men. Slew picked up possession down the left and threaded a pinpoint ball through to Mellon who rounded Alex Bass and slotted home underneath two recovering defenders.
Things got even better just four minutes later in unbelievable circumstances. Under pressure from McKiernan, Bass looked to clear a back-pass, but his clearance struck Lewis before the ball rolled helplessly beyond the shot-stopper and into the back of the net.
Two minutes before the hour mark, the Shrimps were awarded a spot kick after Omar Bugiel, who was booked moments earlier, brought down McKiernan as he looked to get the shot off. The Dons man avoided a red card as Mellon stepped up and made no mistake, sending his strike straight down the middle.
The visitors pulled one back on 72 minutes after Little was in position at the edge of the box to receive the pass and curl the ball beyond a diving Smith into the bottom corner.
Huseyin Blair looked to bend one into the top left corner with 10 minutes of normal time to play, but a vitally important Farrend Rawson header kept the visitors at bay.
With the second half minutes ticking by, substitute Connor Lemonheigh-Evans managed to meet a corner into the box with his head, but it lacked the power and direction to really test Smith, who claimed the ball comfortably.
If it wasn’t already, the game was won with three minutes of normal time to play. Max Melbourne forced Bass into a close range save before Mellon was on hand to convert the rebound, completing his richly deserved hat-trick in the process.
Full-time: Morecambe 4 AFC Wimbledon 1
Morecambe: A Smith, Tutonda, Rawson ©, Songo’o, Bloxham, Mellon (Walker, 90+5’), McKiernan (Brown, 90+8’), Senior, Slew, Stokes (Melbourne, 83’), Davenport (C Smith, 90+8’).
Subs not used: Pedley, Dobson.
Goals: Mellon (46’, 61’, 88’), Lewis OG (51’).
Bookings: Davenport, Tutonda.
Red cards: None.
AFC Wimbledon: Bass, Reeves ©, Johnson, Tilley, Al-Hamadi, Neufville (Lemonheigh-Evans, 73’), Little, Bugiel (Davison, 61’), Currie, Lewis, OGundere (Biler, 62’).
Subs not used: Tzanev, Pearce, Ball, Sasu.
Goals: Little (72’).
Bookings: Bugiel.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 4,453 (356 away).