MORECAMBE's increasingly worrying away form cost them dear again on Saturday as they crashed to a dismal 1-0 defeat at crisis club Kidderminster.

The Shrimps have scored just five times in their seven away games this season four of those came in the glorious 90-minute romp at Burton Albion.

And a second successive 1-0 loss against the sort of side promotion challengers should be beating did nothing to improve the mood of the 125 travelling supporters after a miserable afternoon at Aggborough.

In a forgettable first period Morecambe skipper Jim Bentley went close with a header and then forced a save out of Jon Danby.

But that was just about the limit of Morecambe's attacking invention and Kidderminster were as just as desperate until Gareth Sheldon fired them into their lead on the stroke of half-time.

The winner came after referee Mike Mullarkey played the advantage, allowing Iyseden Christie to pass into space for Sheldon to finish in style from 20-yards, giving Ryan Robinson no chance.

Perhaps tellingly, it was the first time Kidderminster had scored the opening goal of an Aggborough match this season and came on the back of three home defeats on the spin.

That had really cranked up the pressure on their boss Stuart Watkiss, with the smart money being placed on him joining his local Job Centre queue if his side lost.

The Harriers started the second period with a high tempo, hardly surprising given the time of their goal and Christie had the ball in the back of the net shortly after the re-start only to see his effort ruled out by the flag of a referee's assistant.

Christie then hit a post from the left-hand side of the penalty area after a smart move, while Wayne Hatswell tried his luck with a 25-yard free-kick with 15 minutes remaining.

Hatswell certainly struck the ball well enough but the oohs and aahs from the crowd belied just how far over the top his effort went.

In a rare Morecambe attack Wayne Curtis tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot was smothered by Danby and the Shrimps couldn't find a breakthrough even in the four minutes of added on time.

MORECAMBE: Robinson, Walmsley, Kempson, Bentley, Perkins, Thompson (Stringfellow 84), Kelly (Blackburn 60), Hunter, Curtis, Twiss, Carlton (O'Connor 64). Subs (not used): Howard, Davies.

Referee: M Mullarkey (Exeter) Attendance: 1,461