Match ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Morecambe 0.
Bristol RoversBristol Rovers1MorecambeMorecambe0
Kaid Mohamed's injury-timer header earned Darrell Clarke victory in his first game as Bristol Rovers boss against Morecambe in League Two.
Mohamed powered home Ellis Harrison's superb cross from the right to give the hosts a win their play barely deserved.
Neither goalkeeper made a worthwhile save in a dour game where both teams struggled until the dramatic finale.
But the victory eased Rovers' relegation fears as they are now six points clear of the bottom two.
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol:
"I tried to get my philosophy across today and I think we did it in spells and we need to more of that, but I'm going to give the players massive credit for sticking with it.
"Two or three deliveries were excellent and it's a great learning experience for the younger boys in the squad, getting valuable experience of being in the situation we are in.
"It was a great moment with it being my first game but it was a very anxious game. I think the fans could see that, the players were a little bit edgy."
Morecambe manager Jim Bentley told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I feel sick. It's the hardest goal I've had to take since I've been manager at the club.
"I felt comfortable thinking we were going to get a clean sheet and take a positive point away from home, but we made a couple of silly decisions in the middle of the park.
"We haven't done enough to stop the cross or win the header in the box."
Line-ups
Bristol Rovers
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Mildenhall
- 2Smith
- 14Brown
- 30Lockyer
- 4Woodards
- 29McChrystal
- 33Santos
- 24O Clarke
- 19BeardsleySubstituted forHarrisonat 76'minutes
- 7Clarkson
- 39MohamedBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 6Parkes
- 8Gillespie
- 17Harrison
- 18Harding
- 20Gough
- 25Clucas
- 34Keary
Morecambe
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Roche
- 8Wright
- 3ThrelfallSubstituted forEllisonat 72'minutes
- 4Kenyon
- 15McCreadySubstituted forHughesat 21'minutes
- 34Edwards
- 12Devitt
- 17Fleming
- 9SampsonBooked at 81mins
- 27AmondSubstituted forRedshawat 62'minutes
- 6Diagne
Substitutes
- 5Hughes
- 7Redshaw
- 10Williams
- 11Ellison
- 14Marshall
- 25Arestidou
- 37Mustoe
- Referee:
- Simon Hooper
- Attendance:
- 5,647
Match Stats
Home TeamBristol RoversAway TeamMorecambe
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away16
Live Text
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Post update
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Morecambe 0.
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Booking
Kaid Mohamed (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
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Goal!
Goal! Bristol Rovers 1, Morecambe 0. Kaid Mohamed (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Ellis Harrison.
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Foul by Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers).
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Ryan Edwards (Morecambe) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Foul by Ollie Clarke (Bristol Rovers).
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Andrew Fleming (Morecambe) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Kaid Mohamed (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
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Booking
Jack Sampson (Morecambe) is shown the yellow card.
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Ollie Clarke (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Tony Diagne (Morecambe).
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Foul by David Clarkson (Bristol Rovers).
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Kevin Ellison (Morecambe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Jack Sampson (Morecambe) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ellis Harrison replaces Chris Beardsley.
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Attempt blocked. Ollie Clarke (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Tony Diagne.
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Michael Smith (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.