MORECAMBE lost their 100 per cent Conference record after a loss at Exeter but the Shrimps did enough to suggest their season could be a good one.

The Grecians are top of the table after three wins from three games and have yet to concede a goal.

But that record could have gone in the opening minutes when Garry Thompson saw a shot well saved by Exeter goalkeeper Paul Jones.

And when skipper Jim Bentley's header bounced back off a post it was all Morecambe.

But they couldn't make the breakthrough, although Garry Hunter saw a lob from 25 yards pass just the wrong side of the crossbar.

Exeter had started to come into the game more and Lee Phillips shot them ahead on 23 minutes after Jon Challinor's cross wasn't dealt with.

If that goal was fortunate for the Grecians, their lead should have been cancelled out seconds later as Darran Kempson thundered a header towards goal.

The travelling fans were about to celebrate until Jones pulled off a sensational reflex save.

And that was the turning point of the match as Exeter extended their lead thanks to Chris Todd's thunderbolt shot after Bentley's headed clearance fell perfectly for him.

Ryan Robinson didn't stand a chance and he was nearly beaten again in the first moments of the second half but a Phillips header went just wide.

Still Morecambe refused to lie down and Michael Twiss had a shot well saved before Danny Carlton hit the side netting after an excellent pass from Michael Howard.

At the other end Andy Taylor scuffed the ball wide when in space while Craig Farrell saw his shot saved by Robinson.

But the defeat was harsh on the Shrimps, who can look forward to the rest of the season with confidence.

MORECAMBE: Robinson 7, Heard 6 (Carlton 36, 7), Blackburn 7, Kempson 7, Bentley 8, Howard 7 (Stringfellow 82) Perkins 7, Curtis 8, Thompson 7 (Walmsley 74) Hunter 7, Twiss 7. Subs (not used): Ruffer, Davies.