Heavy Southend defeat sinks Morecambe deeper into National League relegation zone

Morecambe slipped deeper into relegation trouble in the National League after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Southend United at Roots Hall.

The result leaves the Shrimps seven points from safety inside the bottom four, with 14 games, and a maximum of 42 points, remaining.

Click here to watch an honest assessment of the game from manager Jim Bentley, as he spoke to Beyond Radio after the match.

Here’s the @MorecambeFC manager Jim Bentley’s honest assessment after the Shrimps weee beaten 5-1 at Southend in the National League to slip deeper into relegation trouble.

Also talks transfers and addresses Miguel Azeez speculation.#UTS 🦐 | #SOUvMOR | #ShrimpsLive pic.twitter.com/7SdSann8W4

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) February 14, 2026

It was Bentley’s fourth game back in charge of the Shrimps, and after two draws and a defeat previously, Morecambe had a chance inside the first two minutes, as Lewis Payne whipped in a cross into the path of Jack Nolan, who found Chris Popov who headed it just past the post.

Southend then took control of proceedings, with Jamal Blackman called into action several times with key saves, until the pressure finally told in the 22^nd minute.

A Harry Boyes right wing corner was nodded in at the back post by Gus Scott-Morriss to give the Shrimpers a deserved lead.

They doubled their lead ten minutes later, after a sloppy ball in midfield was intercepted, and Boyes turned from provider to scorer, as he drove into the box and finished low into the far corner.

The hosts made it three in the 54th minute, as after Jack Nolan was dispossessed by the Shrimpers’ defence, former Morecambe striker Andy Dallas -who had already come close on several occasions, weaved his way into the box before finishing low past Blackman.

Morecambe pulled one back in the 58th minute through Mo Sangare, with arguably the goal of the day, as his long-distance effort curled into the bottom corner, but Southend United soon restored their three-goal cushion, after Parillon’s effort was palmed away by Blackman but straight into the path of Josh Walker, who found the empty net from a narrow angle.

With the final kick of the game, Southend United added a fifth after Tom Hopper tapped in from close range after a corner wasn’t cleared, to complete a miserable afternoon for the Shrimps in Essex.

Morecambe host Eastleigh in the National League next Saturday at the Mazuma.