Morecambe manager’s post-match thoughts after their FA Cup exit on Saturday.

Morecambe boss Adam Lakeland apologised to travelling fans after his side’s disappointing FA Cup exit at AFC Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, writes DEREK QUINN.

The Shrimps lost 2-1 to one of the lowest-ranking sides in the competition and slumped to a costly defeat as the home team reached the first round proper for the first time in their history.

Two first-half goals from James Clifton and Matt Warburton left Morecambe up against it before Joe Garner scored a consolation for Morecambe, who also saw Cameron Coxe hit the woodwork.

Lakeland said: “I want to apologise to our supporters who travelled and sold out their allocation for that result.

“As for the game itself, I am incredibly frustrated. I’m saying the same things and getting the same outcomes - and maybe I am the problem.

“I’m the manager and I will take responsibility for the result today but we conceded two awful goals, one from a long throw and another from an unnecessary free-kick.

“It was the same at Worksop (Town) last week (2-1 National League North defeat), where we conceded two goals in three or four minutes and I am fed up of watching us away from home concede a goal and then capitulate.

“Outside of that period where we completely lost our way and conceded two poor goals, we could - and should - have scored six goals and we have only scored one and gone out.

“The game was exactly as we said it would be and their threats came from exactly where we said they would come from.

“Here we are at another game where we have conceded poor goals and lost, and as the manager, I take the blame for that.”