Morecambe manager saw positives as youngsters suffered a pre-season loss at Cheadle Town

Morecambe manager Adam Lakeland believed Tuesday evening’s first pre-season defeat was a valuable learning exercise.

A Shrimps squad comprising mostly youngsters and three trialists lost 1-0 at Cheadle Town in their latest match before the new National League North season.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 83rd minute, when Kylan Depeiaza scored for the Midland League club.

Speaking after the game, Lakeland said: “Loads of positives really, we’ve learned a lot.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose any game but I think we’ve got a lot of the young lads in the team, we’ve got a couple of trialists in the team, which always makes it quite difficult.

“These lads haven’t got those relationships and that understanding, which makes it very difficult.

“The surface was difficult as well, being quite bobbly, which didn’t help either team really but we’ve learned a lot there.”

Lakeland’s players had plenty of first-half possession but were unable to create anything of note.

Cheadle made the game a scrappy affair, not allowing Morecambe any time on the ball or space to play.

The second half saw the Shrimps register their first meaningful effort at goal in the 58th minute.

Teddy Collis played in Connor Newall, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

They went close again in the 81st minute as a good counter-attacking move found one of the trialists, whose attempt went narrowly wide.

Cheadle broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, when Morecambe keeper Myles Boney got a hand to a shot at goal.

However, the ball looped up and Depeiaza was able to tap it into the empty net.

The Shrimps nearly levelled in the 89th minute as another of the trialists put a ball into the box.

It eventually found Max Oldfield, whose shot cannoned off the foot of the upright.

Next up for Morecambe is their final away pre-season friendly at Bury on Saturday.