A controversial penalty just after half time was enough to give Bromley a win over relegation threatened Morecambe at a busy Hayes Lane on Good Friday afternoon, Michael Cheek notching his 22nd League Two goal of the season in the process.   

The Ravens went into the game lining up 4-5-1 and it got off to a lively start with Danny Imray setting up Michael Cheek who fired over. Morecambe had a brief spell of pressure before Kamarl Grant and Omar Sowunmi had efforts saved by Shrimpers keeper Harry Burgoyne.

Cheered on by their vocal travelling support who snag all game, the visitors first chance came when Ben Tollitt crossed for Paul Lewis whose glancing header was saved by Grant Smith. Imray then went close for Andy Woodman’s side with a run from his own half, but his shot was blocked by the advancing Burgoyne.

Sowunmi had a goal from a corner ruled out for a foul and Ben Thompson then had a shot saved, while Morecambe’s Andrew Dallas was thwarted by Smith at the other end. After a delay for head injuries to Cheek and Jamie Stott the half ended all square. 

The second half was only three minutes old when the only goal of the game came, Referee Declan Bourne judging that David Tutonda had fouled Imray just inside the box and awarding Bromley a penalty to the astonishment of The Shrimpers.

Cheek coolly dispatched the spot kick to put the home side 1-0 up and take his tally to 23 in all campaigns this season.

Lee Angol had a shot saved for the Shrimpers and they tried to muster a response and Dallas was also denied by Smith after Sowunmi had slipped just outside the area.

With Morecambe having a good spell, Ashley Charles cleared a Max Taylor header off the line from a corner and Taylor then blazed over from long range soon after. Callum Jones was next to test Smith, before Morecambe were dealt a massive blow when they were reduced to ten men on 68 minutes.

The Linesman missed a clear foul on Tutonda by Imray and the Shrimpers sub was shown a second yellow for his furious protests. Bromley tried to make the most of their man advantage from there, with Brooklyn Ilunga and Corey Whitey linking up to set up Jude Arthurs, but Burgoyne saved the midfielder’s shot. Harry McKirdy was next to go close after a good run, but from there The Ravens slowed the momentum.

Late in the piece, Bromley tried to run the clock down in the corner, but the visitors did get one last chance when a set piece from the right found Marcus Dackers in the area, but he had his header well saved by Smith.                                 
The result moved Bromley up to thirteenth in the League Two table, while Morecambe now look almost certain to be relegated to the National League. The Ravens now prepare for a trip to Swindon Town on Easter Monday before the campaign ends at home to Cheltenham Town on 3rd May.  

Bromley: Smith, Odutayo, Sowunmi, Elerewe, Grant, Imray (McKirdy 82), Charles, Arthurs, Congreve (Ilunga 62), Thompson (Whitely 63), Cheek. Subs Not Used: Kabamba, Kacurri, Mayor, Long.
Morecambe: Burgoyne, Lewis, Stott (Tutonda 42), Songoo, Taylor, White, Lewis, Jones (Slew 79), Tollitt, Dallas (Hope 65), Angol (Dackers 79). Subs Not Used: Dobson, Fairclough, Schofield.      
Goal: Cheek 48mins 
HT 0-0 FT 1-0    
Att: 2,382
Referee: Declan Bourne