Rovers fell to a 5-0 defeat to Morecambe on a disappointing afternoon at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Despite enjoying the better of the ball, Rovers struggled for creativity and tempo throughout the game and were undone by the ruthless visitors.

Michael Mellon scored twice with Eli King, captain Jacob Bedeau and David Tutonda also finding the net for Morecambe who were clinical in front of goal.

Grant McCann made three changes to the side that started at Accrington Stanley a week earlier as Jack Senior, Harrison Biggins and Kyle Hurst came into the XI, while Tom Anderson was handed his 200th appearance for the club.

Morecambe took the lead with their first attack on seven minutes as King cut inside to the corner of the box and drilled a low effort into the far corner.

Rovers sprung onto the front foot but struggled for inroads into the final third. Owen Bailey drew a fine save from Morecambe keeper Adam Smith from point blank range with the first real opportunity on 20 minutes.

Moments later Mo Faal saw a shot blocked on the line before lashing his follow-up well wide.

The visitors mainly threatened on the break and Adam Mayor fired over the bar from the edge of the box.

Hurst ran onto a pass from Bailey and hooked a first time effort on target as the half hour mark approached.

But Rovers were caught on the break as they conceded a second on 34 minutes. King slid a pass forward to release Mellon clear. After seeing his first effort saved and second attempt blocked by the recovering Anderson, Mellon squeezed a shot beyond Louis Jones to double Morecambe’s advantage.

Joe Ironside side-footed wide from a great position after meeting an excellent ball from Biggins.

Jones tipped wide a low drive from Tom Bloxham while Joel Senior struck a dipping effort wide as the visitors pushed before the break.

And Morecambe extended their advantage six minutes into the second half. Mayor drilled the ball across the face of goal and Bedeau ghosted in to slot home.

McCann sent on four substitutes and Jack Goodman was agonisingly close to netting his first senior goal moments after entering play. The young striker latched into a low ball forward and clipped a shot just wide of the far post.

Both Goodman and Tavonga Kuleya helped to spark life into the Rovers attack but clear chances were not forthcoming.

The victory was fully sealed for the visitors ten minutes from time when Tutonda collected a loose ball just outside the box and smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

And Mellon added another deep into stoppage time as he fired in from close range after meeting a corner.

Rovers: Jones, Olowu, Anderson, Senior, Molyneux (Sterry 56), Biggins (Rowe 56), Bailey, Nixon, Hurst (Kuleya 56), Faal (Goodman 56), Ironside. Subs not used: Lawlor, Flint, Degruchy.