Report, highlights and reaction: Morecambe 5-1 Bristol Rovers

Morecambe made it four straight home wins, and eight unbeaten at the Mazuma Stadium with an emphatic win over Bristol Rovers.

Dan Crowley and Michael Mellon both found the net on their home debuts and goals from Donald Love, Cole Stockton and Adam Mayor helped move the Shrimps out of the League One relegation zone.

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Derek Adams’ side found the breakthrough on 20 minutes when Crowley’s effort from range was too powerful for Balcombe to keep out from 25 yards, the ball bouncing off the keeper’s hands and into the roof of the net.

Ripley pulled off a superb save five minutes before the break to palm away Evans’ curling effort from outside the area, before The Gas hit the woodwork themselves when Ripley pulled off another excellent save to tip Aaron Collins’ shot onto the bar.

Morecambe came out of the traps flying in the second half and were 2-0 up within two minutes of the restart when Weir picked out Mellon unmarked at the far post who found the bottom right corner to score his first goal for the Shrimps on his home debut, via a deflection.

It was three moments later when a Crowley short corner was worked to Love who rifled a side-footed effort home from a tight angle.

Crowley again showed his class to find Cole Stockton on 62 minutes who raced in on goal and slotted the ball home past Balcombe.

Referee Will Finnie pointed to the spot to award Rovers a penalty moments after Morecambe's fourth, though Sinclair's spot kick was superbly saved by Ripley, his fifth save from the spot of the season.

Morecambe put extra gloss on the scoreline three minutes from time when substitute Adam Mayor broke free in the box and his shot across goal found the bottom right corner of Balcombe’s net.

Rovers got one back just before time when Aaron Collins beat Ripley from outside the area.