Morecambe remain in National League relegation zone after narrow Halifax defeat

Morecambe are four points from safety inside the National League relegation zone after a narrow defeat to FC Halifax Town at The Shay.

The Shrimps handed immediate debuts to central defenders Harlee Dean and Tommy Fogerty, while striker Chris Popov was named on the bench.

Click here to watch post match reaction to the 1-0 defeat from manager Ashvir Singh Johal.

Here’s @MorecambeFC manager Ashvir Singh Johal’s full press reaction after the Shrimps were beaten 1-0 at FC Halifax Town to remain firmly in the National League relegation zone.

Stuff here on the game, the debuts, more ins and outs, finding the spark in the final third,… pic.twitter.com/enLTDUx3C2

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) January 22, 2026

The game was settled early on in the contest, as the Shaymen took the lead in the 9^th minute.

Jack Nolan was dispossessed on the edge of the Halifax penalty area, and the hosts broke with pace, with the ball slipped into Will Harris, who finished well into the far corner.

Halifax Town took the lead after a well worked move, Will Harris scoring the opener in the 9th minute with a well driven shot across Jamal Blackman's goal and into the far bottom corner. 

Chances were then at a premium for both sides, with a George Thomas drive that as turned around the post for a corner by Sam Johnson the only effort on target for the whole first half for the Shrimps.

Morecambe had a golden opportunity to equalise three minutes after the restart, as Gwion Edwards squared the ball for Joe Nuttall, but his first time effort was smashed over the bar from 10 yards.

The visitors failed to muster any other clear chances for the rest of the contest, while at the other end, the Shaymen also struggled in the final third, in a half of very few opportunities.

In the 88^th minutes the hosts were awarded a penalty when Lewis Payne tripped his man in the box, but Jamal Blackman produced his fourth spot kick save of the season to deny Jay Turner-Cooke from 12 yards.

Morecambe welcome Solihull Moors to the Mazuma on Saturday.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Warburton, Hobson, Smith, Latty-Fairweather, Johnson, Turner-Cooke Adetoro (90+1'), Hugill (Hoti 69'), Bray (Wright 69'), Cappello (Jenkins 78'), Harris.

Subs Not Used: Ford, Mills, Lavery.

Bookings: Turner-Cooke 90+2'.

Goals: Harris 09'.

Morecambe FC: Blackman, Payne, Conte, Dean, Edwards, Azeez, Lewis, Nuttall (Popov 55'), Fogarty, Thomas (Tollitt 74'), Nolan.

Subs Not Used: Boney, Williams, Campbell, McWilliams, Akindileni.

Bookings: Payne 29', Lewis 42'.

Attendance: 1097 (140 away)