Missed chances prove costly for Morecambe in defeat at Scunthorpe in National League

Morecambe remain bottom of the National League table after a 3-1 defeat to Scunthorpe in the National League at the Attis Arena.

Here are the thoughts of Morecambe FC manager Ashvir Singh Johal following the game, speaking to Beyond Radio’s Dave Salmon for Shrimps Live.

The Shrimps made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Tamworth on Saturday, with Rolando Aarons coming in for Jack Nolan on the right wing, and George Thomas making his first start for the club in place of Yann Songo’o.

It was a closely contested the opening 20 minutes of proceedings with chances for both sides to open the scoring.

In the tenth minute, Morecambe had a great opportunity to open the scoring as Gwion Edwards burst down the left wing, but his pull back just couldn’t be forced in by Aarons at the back post.

Edwards then received the ball down the left flank before cutting inside but his strike was over.

Archie Mair repelled a low effort to his right hand side, before another huge chance went begging on 35 minutes.

A long ball forward found Edwards in a central position, his initial lob from 25 yards called for Rory Watson in the Iron goal to make a smart save at full stretch, before Aarons got hold of the rebound and slipped in Edwards again, but he fired his effort well over the bar.

Just moments after, the Iron made their way up the pitch as a curling effort from Oli Ewing smashed against the far post, before they took the lead on 40 minutes against the run of play, as Callum Roberts cut inside and slotted the ball into the far corner from 8 yards.

Just before half time, the lead was doubled. Elijah Dixon-Bonner conceded a foul 25 yards out, and from the free kick Danny Whitehall curled the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner.

Morecambe showed plenty of endeavour in the second half, without managing to create a significant clear cut chance.

That was until 20 minutes from time, when some wonderful build-up play ended with Ben Tollitt finishing from close range from a Jake Cain cross to halve the deficit.

The Shrimps couldn’t capitalise on their goal though, and 12 minutes from time the points were sealed for the hosts when substitute Tyrell Sellars-Fleming restored the Iron's two goal lead with a low drive from just outside the box. 

Nolan curled an effort just wide of the goal, and Azeez had a late drive well saved as the Shrimps slipped to defeat.

Scunthorpe United: Watson, Belehouan, Evans, Howe (Sellars-Fleming, 71'), Beestin (Scales, 63'), Whitehall (Dawson, 79'), Roberts (C), Rowley, Ewing (Westbrooke, 63'), Starbuck, Denton (Horton, 71')

Subs not used: Ubaezuonu, Chadwick, 

Goals: Roberts (39'), Whitehall (44'), Sellars-Fleming (78')

Bookings: Belehouan

Morecambe FC: Mair, Payne, Kacurri, Francillette, Edwards (C) (Nolan, 59') Azeez, Cain, Aarons (Raikhy, 72') Tollitt (Panayiotou, 84'), Dixon-Bonner (Songo'o, 59'), Thomas (Sutton, 72')

Subs not used: Ascroft, Sesay

Goals: Tollitt (70')

Bookings: Cain, Dixon-Bonner, Payne