Shrimps slip further from safety following Vale defeat

Morecambe are now seven points from safety in League One after a 1-0 defeat at Port Vale on  Boxing Day.

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Gavin Massey's stunning long-range effort just before half-time was the difference between the sides, on a cold festive afternoon at Vale Park.

In an even first half, Jensen Weir hit the side netting with a good effort on 20 minutes following some impressive build up play, while Vale forward Ellis Harrison tested goalkeeper Connor Ripley from range.

Ripley turned a deflected effort behind for a corner as the half wore on, before what turned out to be a pivotal 30 seconds of play in the 41^st minute.

Morecambe went from thinking they'd taken a deserved lead to going behind in a matter of seconds. Max Melbourne struck the post with a looping header following a cross from Adam Mayor, only for Port Vale to race down the other end and score through Gavin Massey's 20 yard drive into the bottom cormer.

Gavin Massey came close to his and Port Vale's second of the game 15 minutes into the second half, firing a shot just over Connor Ripley's goal from the edge of the box.

The Shrimps were battling hard to make the break through, but couldn’t find a way to significantly test Jack Stevens in the Port Vale goal.

Adam Mayor did come close late on, firing a vicious shot on goal from outside the area which deflected just wide.

Morecambe remain bottom of the League One table on 15 points, ahead of the visit of Accrington Stanley to the Mazuma Stadium on Thursday (December 29).