Report, reaction & highlights: Gillingham 2-1 Morecambe

The Shrimps slipped to a 2-1 defeat at table topping Gillingham in League Two.

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Two first half goals either side of a Michael Mellon equaliser was enough for the Gills to secure all three points.

The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute. A deep corner on the left was headed back across goal, where George Lapslie turned and fired past keeper Stuart Moore from close range.

Morecambe equalised three minutes later with a goal of real quality.

A through ball found Michael Mellon, and his imperious lob over the goalkeeper found the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Stuart Moore was called into action on 19 minutes when Connor Mahoney looked to fire the hosts in front, but a smart save denied the Gills’ man.

But four minutes later, the hosts were in front again – Mahoney once more with the effort, this time after feigning a shot to unbalance the defender and curling the ball into the top corner.

Derek Adams’ men then looked for a second and produced a number of promising counter attacks, the most dangerous seeing Eli King pick up possession on the edge of the box before blasting over.

Mellon went close in the dying moments of the first 45 with a stunning Marco van Basten-esque volley from the right-hand side of the area on the angle, but the ball crashed against the crossbar.

Morecambe did plenty to try and get back into the game after the break, but found chances at a premium.

Mellon had a free kick from around 25 yards out in a central position, but the strike was straight at Turner.

Then, with 14 minutes to go, Michael Mellon was dismissed for a second yellow card.

The striker, who had been booked for time wasting in the first half, was put through on goal, and had a coming together with Gills’ man Connor Masterson in the area, with the referee deeming the challenge worthy of a second caution.

Ethan Walker made his debut after coming on in place of Eli King, and he looked to level proceedings with a fierce strike from distance, but it was held by Turner.

The hosts looked to wrap up proceedings just before the 90 through Tom Nichols, who twisted and turned away from the defenders before pulling the trigger; the strike took a deflection and looped over.