Carlisle United 1 Morecambe 0: Struggling Shrimps again lack in attack
Morecambe ended the year in the National League relegation zone after a narrow defeat at Carlisle United on Tuesday evening.
Luke Armstrong’s goal in first-half injury time was enough to give the home side three points as the Shrimps played some neat football but, once again, had a clear lack of threat up front.
Morecambe boss Ashvir Singh Johal named the same side that lost narrowly to Rochdale on Boxing Day, with the only change seeing Ben Williams return to the bench.
They started well and forced the home side on the back foot with some neat football.
However, it was Carlisle who had the first effort on goal as Alex Gillilead made the most of a poor pass from Alie Sesay and saw a long-range shot tipped over by Jamal Blackman.
The Morecambe keeper had to be at his best again on 21 minutes with another fine stop as he got down low to his left and saved Armstrong’s close-range effort.
The Shrimps then took charge of possession but missed a golden chance to take the lead, Ben Tollitt blazing the ball over from 12 yards after Gabe Breeze had parried an Emmerson Sutton shot.
With the half coming to a close, Carlisle took the lead when Regan Linney got round Sutton and delivered a low cross for Armstrong to score from close range.
Carlisle started the second period on the front foot as Blackman again had to be at his best in saving smartly from Linney before former Shrimp Harvey Macadam volleyed straight at him from a great position.
Morecambe struggled to turn possession into chances with Sutton the closest to scoring, forcing Breeze into a neat tip over at his near post.
With Morecambe pushing forward, Carlisle should have doubled their lead in added time.
Linney was again denied by Blackman, when he should have squared the ball to the unmarked Georgie Kelly.
Carlisle United: Breeze, Ellis, Feeney, Hayden, Macadam, Gillilead, Williams, Embleton (Wearne 67), Jones (Whelan 45), Linney (Mugabi 90), Armstrong (Kelly 77). Subs not used: Lewis, Ajiboye, Murray.
Morecambe: Blackman, Sesay (Conte 86), Kacurri, Francillette, Sutton (Williams 86), Thomas (Dixon-Bonner 75), Azeez, Raikhy (Lewis 75), Tollitt, Nolan, Aarons (Muskwe 66). Subs not used: Mair, Payne.
Referee: Aaron Bannister.
Attendance: 8,356.