With a performance that boss Sammy McIlroy described as 'flat and frustrating' the Shrimps struggled to threaten a solid defence and for the second time this season failed to score against Paul Lambert's side.

To be fair, Wycombe weren't much better but in Stefan Oakes they had the best player on the park and the experienced midfield duo of Gary Holt and Neil Lennon showed just why they have played at a far higher level than League Two.

The defeat was the Shrimps' sixth in seven League games but they were outdone by a wonder strike from Oakes who produced a superb 30-yard

ANGER: Sammy McIlroy lets referee Lewis know his feelings at full-time.

free-kick on 36 minutes which flew into the top left-hand corner of Scott Davies's goal.

It was a goal that illuminated an otherwise depressing afternoon but it was also a controversial one as McIlroy was left fuming with referee Rob Lewis for penalising Danny Adams for the tackle that led to the free kick.

Oakes was the biggest threat to the Shrimps with his dangerous free-kicks and corners and almost carved an opening goal for the visitors on 19 minutes with a clever free kick which Chris Herd flicked against the post with Davies beaten.

The on-loan Herd was in the thick of the action in the first half with a shot that flew over the bar from the edge of the area and a header straight at the Morecambe keeper from another neat Wycombe move.

The Shrimps started brightly with Matty Blinkhorn drilling a low shot inches wide of the left-hand post in the first minute after a neat Michael Twiss flick but that proved to be their only moment of threat in the first half.

The second half saw the visitors come close in the early stages with Mike Williamson heading an Oakes corner just over before Morecambe hit back with their best period of the game.

Garry Thompson dragged a shot wide of the right post and substitute Carl Baker should have done better than shoot straight at Fielding after a goalmouth scramble.

Morecambe skipper Jim Bentley also directed a volley straight at the Wycombe keeper and it was the visitors who always looked the more dangerous up front with Davies forced into a neat save from John Sutton's late strike before Leon Knight curled an effort inches over the bar.

A late Morecambe penalty appeal when Bentley was bundled over in the box was waved away just to add to McIlroy's frustrations.