Tranmere Rovers were defeated 1-0 at Morecambe in Sky Bet League Two, after a 72nd minute Jordan Turnbull own goal separated the sides.

After a goalless opening period of few chances, the hosts started the second half well and found the net after Chris Stokes’ cross was deflected in. 

In stoppage time, the visitors had chances through Charlie Jolley and Connor Jennings to level the scores but were unable to convert. 

Morecambe extend their league unbeaten run to six, while Rovers are now four without a win in the division.  

Tranmere started the match well with a flurry of corners. Their best chance came through Harvey Saunders, who headed across goal and wide from Regan Hendry’s pinpoint delivery. 

Morecambe skipper Donald Love was forced off after ten minutes, but it was the home side who began to take command. Jordan Slew nodded wide before Michael Mellon struck a free kick over. 

Both sides had penalty appeals in the first half, but referee Paul Howard was unmoved for each. Open play chances came at a premium, but Luke McGee still had to be alert to deny JJ McKiernan’s shot from close range, the best opportunity of the opening 45. 

The Rovers ‘keeper was on-hand again, this time tight to his near post, to keep out the midfielder as the break crept closer. Hendry and Jennings both found themselves in the book before the whistle finally sounded. 

The hosts started the second half well, as shots from Mellon and Slew tested McGee.  

Rob Apter was introduced into the action just before the hour mark and caused trouble for David Tutonda immediately, who was cautioned for hauling him down as he looked to burst forward. 

He got his first shot of the match away with twenty minutes to go, curling into the grateful arms of Adam Smith after cutting in from the right. 

A few moments later, though, Morecambe took the lead. Stokes’ whipped delivery nicked off the head of Turnbull and beat McGee. 

Tom Bloxham looked dangerous for the hosts throughout the ninety and threatened the goal twice but was denied a goal at point-blank range by the Tranmere stopper. 

Six minutes of stoppage time came, and with it two golden chances for Rovers to find the equaliser. First, Apter fired a cross into the goalmouth which evaded Jolley, who had acres of spaces to head in. 

Then, Jennings fired over from 10-yards with seconds left, after loanee Apter’s shot was parried into his path. 

It wasn’t to be, and, despite a committed effort, Rovers left Morecambe empty handed. 

MORECAMBE: A. Smith, Love (Stokes 10’), Tutonda (Melbourne 64’), Bedeau, Songo’o, Bloxham, Mellon, McKiernan, Mayor, Senior, Slew (Davenport 74’) 

SUBS NOT USED: Pedley, C. Smith, E. Walker, Brown 

TRANMERE ROVERS: McGee, O’Connor, Davies, Turnbull, Wood (Pike 46’), B. Walker (Lewis 58’), Hendry, Morris (Apter 58’), Saunders (Hawkes 79’), Dennis (Jolley 84’), Jennings 

SUBS NOT USED: Murphy, Yarney 

ATTENDANCE: 3,678 (527 away) 

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