Accrington Stanley suffered a 2-0 defeat at Lancashire rivals Morecambe to drop into the relegation places and lost Joe Pritchard to a horrific injury.

The Shrimps are propping up the League One table but scored twice in the first half at the Mazuma Stadium.

Stanley had their chances but former Reds keeper Connor Ripley was equal to them before, in the final ten minutes, midfielder Pritchard lost his footing while going to kick the ball and needed oxygen as he was in so much pain before he was stretchered off the pitch.

It was agony for Pritchard who has talked about his battle with injuries throughout his football career.

Rosaire Longelo came into the starting line-up for the Reds, the only change from the 1-1 draw with Barnsley on Boxing Day.

Stanley had a great chance in the 13^th minute when a Pritchard corner found Ryan Astley at the far post and Cole Stockton cleared the defender’s header off the line.

Longelo’s strike was pushed away by Ripley; Tommy Leigh fired over the bar while Longelo went on a mazy run into the area but Ripley dived low to deny him.

Morecambe took the lead on 34 minutes when Stockton crossed to Liam Shaw and he tricked his way into the area before finishing beyond Toby Savin into the far corner of the net.

Pritchard’s deflected effort was wide straight after before the Shrimps doubled their advantage on 43 minutes when Ryan Cooney fed Jensen Weir in the area and it was a smart finish past Savin.

Morecambe had two shots on target in the first half and took them both.

The home side started the second half at a frantic pace but the best early chance was Pritchard’s strike which was comfortable for Ripley.

John Coleman put on two substitutes on 63 minutes with Leslie Adekoya and Josh Woods coming on.

Ripley kept out long range efforts from Ethan Hamilton and Pritchard before Sean McConville entered the pitch on 73 minutes, his first game since November 12th.

Morecambe were still dangerous though with an Adam Major cross just needing a touch but Savin did well to get there.

Stanley almost got one back in it on 80 minutes when Woods flicked the ball across the goal and Adekoya got his head to it but could only guide it wide.

Pritchard’s injury led to a lengthy delay with Dan Martin and Jack Nolan coming on for nine minutes of added time but Stanley couldn’t find a way back with Morecambe celebrating only their third league win of the campaign.

Stanley: Savin, Astley (Adekoya), Conneely, Rodgers, Clarke, Coyle (Martin), Pritchard (Nolan), Longelo (McConville), Hamilton, Whalley (Woods), Leigh

Subs:  Jensen, Perritt

Yellow: Pritchard, Rodgers

Crowd: 4191