Artell bundled home Jim Bentley's knock down on 66 minutes after a deep Danny Adamas free kick.

In truth it was what the Shrimps deserved after they dominated the game for long periods.

Sammy McIlroy's side controlled the opening stages with Rene Howe and Michael Carr both firing wide and Neil Wainwright coming close with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area and Garry Hunter sending a dipping volley just over the bar.

But, in almost their first attack of note, Wycombe took the lead.

Lewis Spence was the man who undid the Shrimps with a superb strike on 33 minutes from 25 yards out that beat new keeper Barry Roche low to his right as the ball zipped on the greasy surface.

Five players were handed their debuts as Morecambe kick off their season with a tough trip to last year's play-off losers with Roche, Andy Parrish, Carr, Wainwright and Howe all handed starts with Diarmuid O'Carroll on the bench.

Wycombe picked up six points from their two encounters with the Shrimps last season, winning 1-0 at Christie Park and 2-0 at Adams Park.

Following their play-off defeat in May, Paul Lambert resigned as manager but has been replaced by former England Under 21 boss Peter Taylor.

Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Bentley, Artell, Adams; Hunter, Carr, McLachlan, Wainwright; Howe, Blinkhorn. Subs: Davies, Curtis, Drummond, McStay, O'Carroll.

Wycombe: Shearer; Crooks, Woodman, Johnson, Williamson; Doherty, Holt, Spence; Grant, Zebroski, McGleish. Subs: Young, Antwi, Mousinho, Ashton, Vieira.

Ref: J Linington.