Adam Lakeland calls for more from players after Morecambe lose to Radcliffe

Morecambe FC boss Adam Lakeland said "we need to do far better than that" after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat at Radcliffe.

The Shrimps manager spoke after his team were beaten 2-1 on Saturday, a result that leaves them bottom of the National League North after four games.

After a goal-less first-half, Clegg put Radcliffe ahead after a defensive mix-up, then the home side went further ahead when Pritchard rifled home on the counter.

Joe Garner responded with his first league goal for Morecambe, firing into the bottom corner. But a late push for an equaliser was to no avail.

The Shrimps are now without a win, with just one point from their opening games, ahead of Friday night's visit of AFC Telford United.

"Another bad day for us and unfortunately now there's been too many of those, we can't shy away from that," said Lakeland.

WATCH Adam Lakeland's full post-match interview here.

"The first half we had a lot of control but we were too safe in our play, playing a bit with the handbrake on. I have no idea why we have this knack of being a bit more aggressive when we fall behind.

"(Radcliffe's opener) has got to be one of the worst goals (to concede) I've ever seen. To give them a gimme like that, it gives them something to protect.

"Then we're disjointed and all over the place again. Too easy, too passive.

"Did we show a little bit of fight when it went 2-1? Not enough for me. We need to do far better than that.

"I need more character, I need more personality, I need more from the players. 

"I'll take responsibility, I'll always come out and protect any team that I manage, but I also think I'm entitled to ask for more."

A first-half lacking in quality on both sides, was marred by another injury to a key Morecambe player as Cameron Coxe was stretchered off, following on from injuries to Ronnie Blois and Lewis Leigh in recent games.

The best chance of the half fell to Radcliffe, when Rio Clegg fired at goal, but Joe Young tipped it over the bar.

It was an hour before Morecambe's first effort on goal, a Garner header from Newby's cross, which was easily held by the Radcliffe keeper.

Morecambe pushed hard late on but ultimately, ran out of time.

Morecambe: Young, Coxe (Baines 11'), Williams, Hogan, Smith (C), Cain, Garner, Daly, Newby, Buckley-Ricketts, Lewis.

Subs Not Used: Boney, Collis, Dobson, Fairclough, Goodyear.