Shrimps shoot themselves in the foot with defeat at Braintree Town
Morecambe’s hopes of moving out of the National League relegation zone were dashed with Saturday’s self-inflicted 1-0 defeat at Braintree Town.
A victory would have taken the Shrimps above their fellow strugglers but, after gifting their hosts an early goal, Ashvir Singh Johal’s side wasted a host of chances as they suffered a 12th league defeat of the campaign.
The Shrimps’ boss made two changes from the side that drew against Yeovil Town with Miguel Azeez and George Thomas recalled, as injury ruled out Gwion Edwards and Mo Sangare dropped to the bench.
Morecambe started sharply, Jack Nolan firing an effort just wide, before Jamal Blackman gifted the home side their opener.
Not for the first time this season, the Shrimps’ keeper played a poor pass into midfield and the ball fell kindly for Goran Babic to find the empty goal.
It was a mistake the Shrimps have made all too often this season, though Blackman redeemed himself with a fine save from Terrell Works who looked sure to score
Between that, Morecambe created a number of chances with Nolan, Thomas and Azeez all letting fly with shots straight at Jack Thompson.
The Shrimps dominated the early stages of the second half, Jake Cain drilling an effort from the edge of the box just wide before Ben Tollitt forced Thompson into a flying save after cutting in from the left.
Morecambe’s best chance to level came on the hour, when Harry Panayiotou looked sure to score but could only hit the post.
That miss spurred Braintree into a response with Blackman saving smartly from Calum Logan’s effort and Sahid Kamara failing to find the target from the edge of the box.
The Shrimps had the better of the final stages as Thomas was presented with a great chance to earn his side a point.
However, the midfielder could only shoot straight at Thompson as yet another chance went begging and Morecambe’s problems continued to mount.
Braintree Town: Thompson, Langston, Omrore (Akinde 67), Vennings, Marshall-Miranda, Babic (Blackwell 58), Pinnington, Kamara (Walker 76), Terry, Logan, Works (Emmanuel-Thomas 76). Subs not used: Francis-Clarke, Hockey, Hubbard.
Morecambe: Blackman, Kacurri, Francillette, Songo'o (Lewis 68), Azeez, Cain (Sangare 83), Tollitt, Sutton, Thomas (Dixon-Bonner 89), Nolan, Panayiotou (Aarons 68). Subs not used: Mair, Payne, Raikhy.
Referee: George Laflin.
Attendance: 905.