Donaldson and Slew secure three points for United
GOALS from Ryan Donaldson and Jordan Slew secured three points for United at the Globe Arena.
Morecambe started the first-half brightly, Jack Redshaw and Ryan Williams both seeing their strikes end up wide of Chris Dunn's goal during the opening exchanges.
United grew into the game with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing proving a handful for the Shrimps' full-backs and Ryan Donaldson dictating the play through the middle. United's first real chance came in the 19th minute, Donaldson's corner was drifted into the box where Josh Coulson, Jordan Slew and Ian Miller all had close-range efforts blocked.
United continued to press, Jordan Slew fired over Andreas Arestidou's bar on 22 before Liam Hughes' strike ended up comfortably wide on 26. The hosts were threatening on the counter, with Josh Coulson on hand to excellently block Ryan Williams' strike on 32.
United almost took the lead on 43, Greg Taylor combined well with Matt Harrold before Jordan Slew saw his strike finish up just wide of Arestidou's goal. The breakthrough came on 45, Richard Tait's cross evaded Matt Harrold but Ryan Donaldson was on hand to nod home at the back post.
HT: Morecambe 0-1 U's
Again the hosts began the half brightly, with United having to clear the danger from two Shrimps corners early on. The U's then began to regain control of proceedings with Jordan Slew coming close on 55 minutes. One minute later the hosts almost leveled, Ryan Williams' strike was superbly tipped over the bar by Chris Dunn.
United eventually doubled their advantage on 59 minutes. A swift counter attack saw Matt Harrold find Jordan Slew on the overlap and he coolly slotted home past Arestidou.
The hosts struggled to create many clear-cut chances as United controlled proceedings. Going forward, Mendez-Laing and Jordan Slew continued to link up well with United looking dangerous on the attack.
Morecambe's best chance came on 79, Kevin Ellison teed-up Paul Mullin who saw Ian Miller clear his goal-bound effort off the line. United had chances to make it three, with Slew, Simpson and Ball all coming close before the end.
FT: Morecambe 0-2 U's
TEAM: Dunn, Tait, Coulson, Miller, Taylor, Champion, Hughes (Ball 75), Donaldson (Dunk 73), Mendez-Laing, Harrold (Simpson 62), Slew.
Not Used: Norris, Nelson, Kaikai, Morrissey.
ATT: 1593 (206)