Morecambe move out of relegation zone after third straight victory in League One

The Shrimps beat Cheltenham Town 2-1, to record their third straight home win and move out of the League One relegation zone.

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Jensen Weir’s ninth of the season, and Kieran Phillips with his seventh of the campaign secured the points for Derek Adams’ men, either side of an Alfie May equaliser for the visitors.

Morecambe took the lead on 20 minutes with a sublime counter attack. Lovely play between Caleb Watts and Jensen Weir saw the Morecambe man inside the Robins’ penalty area, who interchanged passes with Phillips before slipping the ball past goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

It’s could have been 2-0 15 minutes later, when Ryan Delaney’s chipped cross from the right was met with a spectacular overhead kick by Phillips, which Southwood just kept out down to his right hand side.

Cheltenham equalised on 40 minutes, moments after the Shrimps were denied what looked a clear penalty after a challenge on Watts. Following a corner, the visitors broke and midfielder Liam Sercombe’s ball over the top was latched on to by Alfie May who drew Connor Ripley and slipped it past the keeper to make it all square at the break.

It was a wonderful start to the second half for Morecambe, who regained the lead just three minutes in. The Shrimps caught Cheltenham out with a blistering counter attack, allowing Ryan Cooney the space to play a ball into the box which wasn’t cleared. Kieran Phillips bundled the ball into the far corner to give the Shrimps the lead once again.

Morecambe were throwing their bodies on the line with some fabulous defending to keep the scoreline at 2-1, before substitute Ash Hunter, making his first appearance since August, found himself in space on the edge of the area with five minutes to go. His effort was saved, with Phillips just unable to force the ball in.