Cotterill felt Shrewsbury deserved win over Morecambe

Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill was a happy man after his side sealed a fifth successive League One home win with a 3-1 victory over struggling Morecambe.

First-half goals from Luke Leahy and Rob Street gave Cotterill’s Shrews the advantage before Dan Crowley pulled one back for the Shrimps in first half stoppage time.

Morecambe were denied a 64th-minute leveller when Farrend Rawson’s goal was ruled out for offside and Chey Dunkley made it 3-1 six minutes from time with a header from a Leahy corner.

Cotterill felt his side were “worthy winners” against Derek Adams’ strugglers who remain in the bottom four with just one away win all season.

Cotterill said: “I’ve watched Morecambe a lot this season and they are a good side.

“The danger is that our fans and our players could look at their league position and expect an easy win but I knew this would be tough as they have some good players.

“With that in mind I’m really pleased with the three points. I think we were fully worthy of the win and had it not been for their keeper, who I thought was brilliant, we could have won by more.”

Leahy gave the Shrews the lead in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot after Crowley was adjudged to have handled a Tom Bayliss corner and Street doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a close-range tap-in after Matt Pennington had flicked on another Bayliss set-piece.

Crowley pulled one back with a fine placed finish from the edge of the box but the Shrimps’ comeback hopes were dashed with Dunkley’s late header.

Morecambe manager Adams was left frustrated and felt a number of key decisions went against them.

He said: “They got a penalty, which was a penalty but we had a good goal disallowed that would have brought it back to 2-2 and had two good shouts for penalties of our own not given but nothing surprises me now when we play away from home.

“Overall I thought we played well and passed it well and opened them up a few times and got in good areas but didn’t take the shot when we had a chance.

“At the other end they scored from three set-pieces which was disappointing too and we have to learn from those moments.”