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Brave Shrimps see play-off hopes hit
Morecambe's hopes of making the League Two play-offs were severely hampered by a narrow 3-2 defeat at Rotherham United.
The Shrimps suffered only their second defeat in 18 games as two late goals helped the Millers to complete the double over Sammy McIlroy's side.
It was another brave show from the battling Shrimps who fought to the end when a 92nd-minute volley from Jim Bentley gave them a glimmer of hope of completing another superb comeback – but it wasn't to be.
Rotherham had the better of the early chances, and Danny Harrison saw a low shot blocked, while in-form Reuben Reid let fly with a shot from distance that was well saved by keeper Barry Roche.
Roche was in action again to push over a goalbound header from Taylor and Pablo Mills was a fraction away from connecting with a telling Taylor corner.
Morecambe played some neat football but failed to test Andy Warrington.
Mark Duffy fizzed a shot just wide from the edge of the area and Diarmuid O'Carroll headed straight at the home keeper.
Then just before the break, Rotherham took advantage of a quick break when Dale Tonge made space down the right and, after getting past Duffy, crossed perfectly for Taylor to head past Roche from six yards out.
Mark Robins' side almost doubled their lead early in the second half when Nick Fenton hit the bar with a header.
But the Shrimps responded superbly with a smart equaliser on 51 minutes.
Rene Howe made space down the left and pulled the ball back for O'Carroll to side-foot past Andy Warrington.
The teams then traded chances with Howe denied a Morecambe second by an excellent Warrington save low to his right before Dave Artell volleyed wide from close range with his back to goal.
But with the Shrimps on top, Rotherham went ahead for the second time 10 minutes from the end.
Jamie Green crossed from the left, Ryan Taylor controlled and substitute Jason Taylor rifled in a low shot.
Rotherham then added a third through a Mark Burchill penalty when Morecambe skipper Bentley was unfortunate to handle a spinning ball in the area.
Bentley made amends when he let fly with an unstoppable volley in injury-time, but it proved to be too late to inspire another Morecambe comeback.
Rotherham: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Green, Danny Harrison, Mills, Hudson (J Taylor 87), Reid, (Burchill 74) Joseph, R Taylor. Subs not used: Cann, Broughton, Clarke.
Morecambe: Roche 6, Yates 6, Bentley 6, Artell 7, Adams 7, Duffy 6; Hunter 7, Drummond 7, Twiss 6 (Curtis 87), Howe 6, O'Carroll 8. Subs not used: Edge, McLachlan, McStay, Parrish
Referee: Mr T Kettle
Attendance: 2,078
Star man: Diarmuid O'Carroll
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Friday 25 May 2012
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