Morecambe slip to final day defeat against Harrogate

Morecambe slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Harrogate Town on the final day of the League Two season at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

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The Shrimps started brightly and from a corner in the 12^th minute, a pinpoint delivery from Adam Lewis was headed home at the near post by defender Max Taylor.

The visitors were level 8 minutes later. From a corner, Anthony O’Connor’s effort hit the post, the ball was scrambled clear, only to fall to a Harrogate player, who fired low into the box, where Bryant Bilongo picked up the ball and found the back of the net.

Harrogate took the lead two minutes later, as Ellis Taylor found space down the right, his cross shot was parried by Ryan Schofield at full stretch, but the ball landed at the feet of Josh March, who fired in the rebound from close range.

Minutes later, the Sulphurites were applying the pressure and despite Ryan Schofield reacting quickly to keep the first effort out, Josh March was there waiting at the back post to give his side the lead.

Just before half time, the Shrimps were inches away from squaring things up as Oxley was forced to react quickly and deny Jamie Stott's effort.

In a quieter second half, Morecambe had efforts from Hallam Hope deflected wide, while Tom White’s curler was just over the angle from 20 yards.

Late on, Lee Angol's powerful drive whistled just inches wide of the post, as the visitors held on to take all three points. 

Morecambe: Schofield, A Lewis (Fairclough, 84'), White, Taylor (Songo'o, 58'), Stott ©, Hope (Dallas, 73'), Angol, P Lewis, Tollitt (Slew, 58'), Cooke (Tutonda, 58'), Jones.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Dackers.

Goals: Taylor (12')

Bookings: P.Lewis 

Harrogate Town AFC: Oxley, Asare, Foulds, Falkingham © (Barnes, 77'), J Daly, O'Connor, Bilongo, Taylor, March, Cursons, Morris.

Subs not used: Belshaw, M Daly, Sanderson, Etherington.

Goals: Bilongo (19'), March (22') 

Attendance: 3,043 (357 away)