Morecambe 0 Gillingham 1 match report: Substitute George Lapslie scores winning goal in League 2

Supersub George Lapslie came off the bench to hand Gillingham a second straight League 2 win on Saturday.

A solid display from the visitors was capped with 13 minutes left when Lapslie turned the ball in from close range.

Gillingham made three changes from the side that beat Carlisle seven days ago in their League 2 opener.

Conor Masterson, Tim Dieng and Aaron Rowe were all ruled out through injury with Shad Ogie, Jonny Williams and Jayden Clarke coming into the starting XI.

There was also a place on the bench for 17-year-old midfielder Harry Waldock, who has impressed during pre-season.

Among the Morecambe starting line-up was former GIlls defender David Tutonda.

Just as manager Mark Bonner demanded, Gillingham started the game on the frontfoot with both widemen, Clarke and Jack Nolan, prominent early on.

However, the Gills were unable to fashion a clear-cut chance and, playing with the wind, Morecambe started to test the visiting defence.

Callum Jones’ shot from the edge of the box was blocked before Ben Tollitt bulldozed his way through two challenges but keeper Jake Turner pushed away his deflected 20-yard right-foot shot.

A poor throw-in by Max Clark nearly presented Morecambe with the breakthrough but referee Daniel Middleton was not fooled by Hallan Hope’s dive as Ogie stepped across, although there was surprisingly no caution for the theatricals.

Gillingham had further cause for complaint seven minutes before half-time. Lone striker Jacob Wakeling was clearly pulled back by centre-half Jamie Stott but the referee didn’t give a free-kick, let alone a red card for a potential professional foul.

Morecambe should have been ahead when good work by Tutonda ended the ball falling for Gwion Edwards in the box but he