THE Shrimps crashed to their fifth successive Conference defeat on Saturday but the only question asked in the dressing room must have been, how did they do that?

A fine all round performance from Morecambe limited Farnborough to just a handful of serious efforts on goal, they scored from three of them.

At the other end, a strike force of Ian Monk, Ian Cain, John Norman and Mark Ceraolo caused havoc to the visitors defence and made a hatful of chances, they scored from only two.

Morecambe, now at the foot of the Conference form guide, started brightly and took a 20th minute lead in this event-filled game when Paul West's chip into the box flummoxed the 'keeper and fell into the net.

Farnborough created their first chance of the game seven minutes later and made it count, Boothe finishing off after Harlow's excellent cross.

From that point on the Shrimps created chance after chance. Monk saw a volley cannon back off a post, Gary Dullaghan hit a shot just over and Ceraolo forced a great save out of the Town 'keeper.

It seemed inevitably that Morecambe would regain their lead before the break but things are running like that at Christie Park these days. With time running out in the first half it was Farnborough who snatched one, Underwood flying head first to connect with a cross and beat Steve McIlhargey.

With 13 minutes of the second half gone, the Shrimps fell further behind. Dullaghan gifted the ball to Boothe who's chip cross was tailor-made for Gavin to nod home the third at the far post.

New signing Justin Jackson replaced Cain as Morecambe flung themselves forward in an attempt to get back in a match they should have been controlling and it was his cross that allowed Ceraolo to give them hope in the 78th minute.

That hope was in vain and the visitors held on to leave the Shrimps down in a very appropriate unlucky 13th in the Conference table.

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