League One side suffer first relegation in their history, despite existing for over a CENTURY

AN EFL side has suffered relegation for the first time in its 103-year history.

Morecambe needed a win over Exeter City and hope that MK Dons failed to win against Burton on the final day of the League One season to ensure their survival.

Morecambe were relegated for the first time in the club’s historyRex

They were beaten on the final day of the season by Exeter CityRex

Jay Stansfield netted a hat-trick for ExeterRex

MK only managed a draw against Burton meaning a win would have saved the Shrimps League One status.

However a stunning hat-trick performance from Fulham loanee Jay Stansfield saw Exeter run out as 3-2 winners.

It was an emotional moment for the 20-year-old as he wore the retired shirt number of his father who is a club legend at Exeter.

His father, Adam, sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 31.

The result confirmed the club’s first-ever relegation as it headed back down to League Two.

Morecambe was founded in 1920 and played in the Lancashire Combination League until the Northern Premier League was founded in 1968.

The Shrimps were then promoted from that division in 1995 to the Conference League, now known as the National League.

After 12 years at that level the club sealed promotion to League Two after a playoff win against who else, but Exeter City the team that just relegated them.

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Morecambe then 14 years in the fourth level of English football before another playoff success.

In 2021, a Carlos Mendes Gomes penalty in the 107th minute against Newport County saw the club climb up to League One.

The club survived its first season in the division finishing 19th but could not replicate the success this season.

Following the drop, manager Derek Adams was pleased with the effort of the team and the fans.

Derek Adams was happy with the effort from the playersGetty

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: “I think we tried our best, 0-0 at half time, they score a quick goal in the second half and then got a second and we found it difficult after that because we were chasing the game.

“The players gave their all, not only today, but over the season, and we took nearly 900 supporters with us today, which is fantastic.

“Not too long ago we didn’t have 900 home supporters, so it’s fantastic that they’ve come with us today.

“We’ve had tremendous backing throughout the season, but it’s not losing today, it’s over the season it happens and all I can say is the players have given their best.”

Morecambe have been joined by MK Dons, Accrington Stanley, and Forest Green Rovers in relegation.