Morecambe will go into their game with Hereford this weekend hoping that they have a little more luck than on Tuesday night, as the Shrimps crashed out of the LDV Vans Trophy against Third Division Lincoln City.

Jim Harveys men certainly didn't deserve to lose the game and the Morecambe boss will be disappointed that his team let their lead slip away after two defensive lapses allowed Lee Thorpe to complete his hat-trick. The Shrimps made a poor start to the game as Thorpe put the home side ahead on 14 minutes as he tormented the Morecambe defense and slotted the ball past Mark Smith.

The early goal didn't dampen the Morecambe spirits though, and on 39 minutes Steve Walters cancelled out their lead after the midfield man struck a first time shot over the head of the hapless Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott.

The goal was no more than the Shrimps deserved as Garry Thompson and John Norman had earlier gone close, and right on half-time Norman had another excellent opportunity to put his side ahead, only to have his shot saved by the recovering Marriott. The second goal did eventually come early in the second half as Andy Fensome whipped cross from the right hand side, and Julian Dowe put the ball past the Lincoln goalkeeper, all be it via a delection.

Any chance of a Morecambe upset were soon wiped out though as the Shrimps completely fell asleep at the back on 55 minutes and Lee Thorpe was able to cruely deny the onference team a place in the next round as he headed home two goals inside of a minute.

This time there was no come back for Morecambe, despite the efforts of the youngster David Perkins who swung in an excellent cross, only to see it go agonisingly across the face of goal as the visitors failed to get anyone on the end of it.

Despite a late surge though Morecambe couldn't over turn the deficit, and although they were the better team for the majority of the match, it took just one minute to decide this game.