Morecambe remain bottom of National League after Southend defeat

Morecambe slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Southend United in the National League at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Click here to listen to reaction to the game from manager Ashvir Johal and midfielder Jake Cain:

The Shrimps made two changes to the starting line up from the side that lost in the FA Cup to Chester in midweek, with midfielder George Thomas and forward Joe Nuttall coming into the team in place of Arjan Raihky and Ben Tollitt.

It was a bright start for the Shrimps as George Thomas came close to finding the opener in just the third minute of the game, as he skipped past the keeper but his effort hit the side netting. 

In the 11th minute, Miguel Azeez broke away and charged down the pitch before finding Jack Nolan but the effort was wide of the near post.

Former Morecambe striker Andy Dallas saw a close range header go over the bar, before the Shrimpers took the lead in the 25^th minute.

Keenan Appiah-Forson was allowed to through the middle and he found Bulgarian striker Slavi Spasov whose low drive from 20 yards found the bottom corner of Jamal Blackman’s net.

With five minutes left of the half to play, Southend doubled their lead, as a Harry Boyes floated free kick on the right found an unmarked Ben Goodliffe who slotted from close range.

Morecambe had the better of proceedings in the second half, but couldn’t find a way to get bac into the game.

Azeez saw his effort just wide of the target from the edge of the area, before Collin Andeng Ndi was forced to react quickly to keep out Dixon-Bonner's close-range strike, as Morecambe continued to push forward.

15 minutes from time, Gwion Edwards tried to capitalise on a goalkeeping error, but  sent a curling strike crashing against the post, before his effort on the rebound was spectacularly tipped over the bar. 

George Thomas and Admiral Muskwe had late efforts repelled, before deep in stoppage time

At the other end of the pitch, Jamal Blackman reacted quickly to make a great save and deny Oli Coker.

In the 89th minute, Emmerson Sutton played Admiral Muskwe through on goal but he is denied by the visiting goalkeeper who comes off his line to collect.

During the last minute of added time, Josh Walker added a third for the Shrimpers, as he finished low into the corner to finish off a counter attack.

Morecambe travel to Boston United on Tuesday evening.

Morecambe FC: Blackman, Payne (Sutton, 86'), Kacurri, Francillette, Edwards (C), Azeez, Cain, Nuttall (Muskwe, 79'), Dixon-Bonner (Williams, 62'), Thomas, Nolan (Tolliitt, 79') 

Subs not used: Miar, Songo'o, Raikhy

Bookings: Edwards, Nuttall, Kacurri

Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Ralph, Goodliffe, Dallas (Walker, 64'), Austin (Coker, 64'), Taylor, Spasov (Chambers-Parillon, 64'), Appiah-Forson (Miley, 80'), Morton, Boyes

Subs not used: Hayes, Bridge, Gubbins

Goals: Spasov (25'), Goodliffe (45'), Walker (90+4')

Bookings: Taylor

Attendance: 3042 (448 away)