Exeter City 0 Morecambe 2: Shrimps move into the automatic promotion spots

Goals from Adam Phillips and Cole Stockton gave the Shrimps the three points that took them into the automatic promotion spots at the end of the game.

It was the perfect away performance from Derek Adams’ side as they took an early lead and then defended superbly before hitting the home side on the counter-attack for a second.

The Shrimps got off to a dream start as they took the lead in the ninth minute through a Phillips penalty.

Carlos Mendes-Gomes once again produced a delightful through ball for Phillips, who was brought down by Jonny Maxted before brushing himself down to smash home the spot-kick.

Exeter hit back with Jokull Andresson producing a fine save to deny Josh Key with Archie Collins heading the rebound straight at the former Grecians loanee.

Home boss Matt Taylor made an early double substitution with Jake Caprice and veteran Nicky Law coming off the bench after just 22 minutes.

The Grecians then played some neat football with Caprice seeing a shot spilled by Andresson and Sam Lavelle making a vital last-gasp intervention to clear the danger.

After surviving a string of corners, the Shrimps had a good shout for a second penalty just before the break when Mendes-Gomes was bundled over by a clumsy challenge.

Exeter started the second half strongly with Lewis Page drawing an excellent save from Andresson and Toumani Diagouraga producing a superb defensive tackle as Matt Jay looked to get in a shot.

With Exeter on the front foot, the Shrimps almost broke through on the counter with Stockton just caught offside as he threatened to run free on goal.

The striker soon made amends with a perfectly-timed run and first touch to collect a pinpoint Phillips pass before finishing past Maxted on 66 minutes.

The home side took control of possession as they looked to get back into the game.

However, Andresson saved smartly from two Tom Parkes headers and the Shrimps defended superbly to keep Exeter at bay and pick up a second successive clean sheet.

Exeter City: Maxted, Key (Sparkes 46), Sweeney, Parkes, Hartridge (Caprice 22), Jay, Page, Atangana (Taylor 61), Collins, Seymour (Law 22), Bowman. Subs not used: Ward, McArdle, Fisher.

Morecambe: Andresson, Cooney, Lavelle, Knight-Percival, Hendrie, Phillips, Songo’o, O’Sullivan (McAlinden 84), Mendes-Gomes (Slew 69), Diagouraga, Stockton (Pringle 89). Subs not used: Letheren, Davis, Gibson, Price.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

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