MORECAMBE can feel more than a little aggrieved after failing to take a share of the points against league leaders Dagenham and Redbridge.

Jim Harvey's side outplayed their promotion chasing hosts either side of the opening goal and looked the more likely winners after equalising.

However, a brilliant brace by substitute Steve McGavin undid the Shrimps and a late strike from Wayne Curtis wasn't quite enough.

Morecambe started brightly and, while keeper Craig Mawson was almost caught out by Danny Hill's long range effort Curtis had the two best early chances, with a close range volley well saved on 12 minutes and a shot just wide after he was played in by Adriano Rigolioso.

On 36 minutes the Daggers took the lead.

A Morecambe free kick was well cleared and Junior McDougald beat Chris Lightfoot to the ball.

McDougald squared the ball to the unmarked Terry who slotted the ball past Mawson to put Dagenham's promotion charge back on track.

Morecambe grabbed a deserved equaliser on the hour when Stewart Drummond and John Norman combined well to play the ever-willing Curtis in.

He finished coolly and, six minutes later, almost repeated the trick when he latched on to a long ball from Dave McKearney before shooting just wide.

Within a minute, however, Morecambe were behind.

Substitute McGavin, a conference champion in 1992 with Colchester, fired in an impressive half volley from the penalty spot.

McGavin struck again moments later, this time with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the area.

There was still time left for Curtis to back heel the Shrimps back into the game on 86 minutes, but his audacious strike wasn't enough to claim a share of the points.

Morecambe's travelling army of fans, on their first live television appearance, made a noisy and colourful contribution to the occasion, with many in fancy dress.

The sight of Popeye, Dennis the Menace and the Pink Panther may have left some of the home fans and TV viewers wondering if they had over-indulged in Easter drinks, but the singing certainly made a positive impact.

The Shrimps, who were also due to face Telford in the conference last night (Wednesday), will be hoping to regain their confidence after a thrashing at the hands of Stevenage Borough on Saturday.

Jim Harvey put out an experimental side against next week's FA Trophy opponents, with youngsters Craig Robinson and Danny Crumbelhume starting the game, along with recent signing Peter Thompson.

Former Worksop and Darlington striker Kirk Jackson opened the scoring on four minutes, and Jean-Michele Sigere doubled the advantage within moments.

Jackson, who played alongside Stewart Drummond for the England semi-pro team, added a second before the break and there was no way back for the hosts.

The best that can be said is that while Morecambe now know everything about Stevenage's attacking threat, Jim Harvey's side revealed little of the quality they have shown throughout their trophy run.