Their shock and disappointment at seeing a young striker target slip from their grasp was soon replaced by delight as an experienced League Two defender chose to join them.

Curtis Allen, the 21-year-old Lisburn Distillery striker who had agreed to come to Morecambe yesterday for a medical with a view to signing, gave back word and instead joined another Northern Ireland club, Linfield.

But the frustration was short-lived as Shrewsbury's first choice right-back, Darren Moss, put pen to paper on a two-year deal with The Shrimps.

The experienced defender said he spoke to several clubs after only being offered a one- year deal by Shrewsbury but was taken by what Shrimps' officials told him.

The 28-year-old, who once moved from Shrewsbury to Crewe Alexandra for a fee of £170,000, said: "There were a few clubs interested but Morecambe stuck out to me as a club that was looking to go places.
"It's clear there is a lot of excitement about their new stadium and the way they ended last season showed they are going in the right direction.

"I have played against Morecambe a few times over the years and I like their style.

"Sammy McIlroy is a manager who I have a lot of respect for both as a manager and a player and I know a lot of the lads.

"I played with Stewart Drummond and Dave Artell at Shrewsbury and I also know Neil Wainwright well as he is a Wrexham lad like me and we used to drive in together when he spent a spell on loan at Shrewsbury."

Moss turned down a one-year contract, on reduced terms, at Shrewsbury.

On Curtis Allen, who hit 25 for Distillery last season and was being tracked by West Brom and Scunthorpe as well as clubs in Ireland, Shrimps' vice-chairman Graham Hodgson said: "It is disappointing because we had agreed everything and it came as a bit of a shock when we heard he had signed for someone else.

"We know these things happen but it obviously doesn't help us.

"But we will begin to look at other options and when one door closes another one opens and we will be doing all we can to bring more quality players like Darren Moss to Christie Park for the new season."