Morecambe well beaten at Mansfield

Morecambe fell to their first defeat of the season away at Mansfield Town in League Two.

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Two goals from Lucas Akiins either side of the break as well as Davis Keillor-Dunn strike proved the difference between the two sides, in an afternoon to forget for Derek Adams’ men.

Morecambe began brightly with an early chance for Tom Bloxham, but the youngster could only volley the ball well over the bar from a good opening on eight minutes.

From there, the home side grew into the game with Akins guilty of missing two big opportunities to take the lead; The first came on 14 minutes when a header was sent wide from six yards.

Later in the half, the forward missed the target from close range, finding the side netting, after his initial effort had forced Stuart Moore into a neat save.

Former Shrimps' striker Rhys Oates looked a threat and went close with a low drive from the edge of the box which just missed the target.

Akins finally found the target in first-half injury time; Stephen Quinn floated in a free kick from the left which was flicked for Akins to head home.

15 minutes into the second half, Nigel Clough's men doubled their advantage with a finish from Keillor-Dunn who ran down the middle, broke through on goal and stroked the ball past Moore.

The Shrimps' keeper then produced a fine save, low to his left, to deny Oates a third goal for the home side on 65 minutes.

Four minutes later, Eli King went in search for a goal back. He played a neat one-two before pulling the trigger from distance, but the Cardiff City loanee couldn't keep the ball down.

Despite his earlier heroics, Moore could do nothing to prevent the Stags' third four minutes from time. Oates was bundled over in the box by Bedeau and Akins stepped up to send the Shrimps' keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.