A frustrating afternoon ends in defeat, as Colchester United beat the Shrimps 1-0 at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
A cagey opening 10 minutes yielded little in the way of clear-cut chances, with Morecambe enjoying the lions share of possession, but struggling to break down a physical Colchester side.
The visitors ball-winning quality put Ged Brannan’s men under pressure as the game began to come alive, although early attempts on Archie Mair’s goal were comfortably dealt with by a disciplined Shrimps back-line.
It was the U’s that would draw first blood on 27 minutes, however, with Arthur Read sending his 25-yard free kick curling beyond an outstretched Mair and into the top right corner.
Morecambe looked to respond quickly, as Charlie Brown raced onto the end of a long ball forward, before appearing to be hauled down inside the Colchester box. No penalty, the verdict, much to the displeasure of the Shrimps faithful.
The Reds pushed for an equaliser as the opening 45 drew on, but struggled to capitalise on minimal opportunities, and Dan Middleton called time on the first half with the advantage going the way of the travelling side.
Half-time: Morecambe 0 Colchester United 1
A tenacious start to the second half saw Jake Taylor weave through the Colchester back line, before being felled just inside the U’s box. The decision went the way of the Shrimps this time, Middleton confidently pointing to the spot.
Gerard Garner stepped up to take, but Owen Goodman was equal to his low driven effort, preserving his sides slender lead.
Jacob Bedeau then thought he’d pulled Ged Brannan’s men side level, finishing smartly from range, but the linesman’s raised flag abruptly halted the home fans celebrations.
An end-to-end conclusion to the game produced chances for both sides, although it was the Reds that went closest; Bedeau flashing his headed effort just wide of the post.
Despite peppering the Colchester area with dangerous deliveries, the Shrimps struggled to capitalise, and after eight minutes of additional time, it would be the visitors leaving with all three points.
Full-time: Morecambe 0 Colchester United 1
Morecambe: Mair, Bedeau, Rawson, Songo’o (Melbourne 60’), Adams(C.Smith 84’), Garner (Fox-Akande 84’), Slew (Barker 45’), Stokes, Taylor, Brown, Harrack (Tutonda 60’).
Subs not used: A.Smith, Threlkeld.
Goals: None.
Bookings: Harrack, Rawson.
Red cards: None.
Colchester: Goodman, Iandolo, Hall, Chilvers (Wilkinson 63’), Mcgeehan (Jay 88’), Hopper (Akinde 88’), Read, Harbottle (Dallison 71’), Richardson, Smith, Fevrier (Anderson 71’)
Subs not used: Hornby, Edwards.
Goals: Read 27’.
Bookings: Wilkinson, Dallison.
Red cards: None.
Attendance: 3383 (180).