Morecambe came from behind to deliver a hammer blow to City's play-off hopes.

Rene Howe's thunderbolt 15 minutes from time condemned Stuart McCall's men to their fifth loss in six away games.

It was hard to swallow for City, who had dominated the first half and looked the most likely winners.

Paul Mullin and Peter Thorne both went close before Matt Clarke nodded the visitors ahead after 37 minutes.

They thought it was 2-0 two minutes into the second half when home keeper Barry Roche appeared to fumble Thorne's header over the line.

But there was no doubt about Morecambe's equaliser after 55 minutes when Stewart Drummond headed home.

Morecambe's tails were up and they clinched it with a spectacular strike from Howe.

The only silver lining in the cloud was that Shrewsbury also lost at Bury. But City could find themselves four points off seventh spot this time tomorrow if Chesterfield beat Darlington.