Morecambe fall to Forest Green Rovers defeat in National League

Morecambe were beaten by Forest Green Rovers in the National League at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Click here to listen to the post match reaction to the 3-1 defeat from manager Ashvir Singh Johal

The Shrimps made four changes to the starting line up from the game against Woking on Saturday, including handing full debuts to midfielder Mo Sangare and forward Admiral Muskwe.

It was the visitors who had the first chances of the game, including early on in the first half, where Neil Kengni saw himself through on goal but Jake Cain threw his body on the line to stop the effort.

Jake Cain tested Luke Mcnicholas from range, who got down well to parry it away, before the Shrimps took the lead in sensational fashion.

In the 23rd minute, Gwion Edwards won the ball down the left, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner, off the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards.

Morecambe continued to play a spell of attractive, one touch football as the half wore on, but couldn’t muster any further significant efforts on goal, before the visitors turned the game around with two goals before half time.

A stray pass at the back allowed Forest Green Rovers to find the equaliser in the 35th minute through Kyle Mcallister, who finished with a low strike into the bottom corner.

On the stroke of half time, Kengni got in down the left, and his low cross was blocked into the path of Tom Knowles, who swept home to give Forest Green Rovers lead going into the break.

Less than a minute after the restart, the visitors scored what proved to be the decisive goal.

A left wing cross was headed goalwards by Mitchell, and although Archie Mair got down well to block the effort, the ball fell kindly for Knowles who slotted home the rebound.

As the second half wore on, the Shrimps struggled to get much going in the final third, as Forest Green managed the game well.

There were appeals for a penalty after Mo Sangare looked to be dragged down in the area, while an Edwards effort from distance was off target.

Morecambe travel to Boreham Wood in the National League on Saturday, kick off at 3pm.

Morecambe FC: Mair, Conte, Francillette, Edwards (Nuttall 82'), Azeez, Cain (Williams 78'), Muskwe (Panayiotou 78'), Sesay (Agyemang 67'), Tollitt, Sangare (Lewis 67'), Songo'o (C).

Subs not used: Scales, Campbell.

Goals: Edwards 23'.

Bookings: Muskwe.

Forest Green Rovers: Mcnicholas, Kengni, Mendy, Mcallister (Bamba 88'), Haughton (Clarke 70'), Knowles, Moore-Taylor (Inniss 45'), Pemberton, Whitwell Bunker (90+3'), Mitchell (Balagizi 70'), Kanu.

Subs not used: Pagel, Moore.

Goals: Mcallister 35', Knowles 43' 46'.

Attendance: 2595 (57 away)