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Exeter City's dream of returning to the Football League ended in tears at Wembley, with a 2-1 defeat in the Conference play-off final against Morecambe.

City were hoping to return to the League after four years in the non-league wilderness - but it wasn't to be, as Morecambe came from behind to beat Exeter for the first time in nine attempts.

It was City's first ever appearance at Wembley, and they were cheered on by over 30,000 Grecians fans.

Jon Challinor did brilliantly on the right of the penalty area before crossing for an unmarked Lee Phillips to head in at the far post. 1-0.

Grecians goalkeeper Paul Jones - recalled for the final - was called into action after 12 minutes, pushing out a shot from Morecambe's Danny Carlton.

Jones then turned Garry Thompson's 25-yarder around the post for a corner, as City came under some pressure.

At the other end, Phillips saw his low drive saved by the finger-tips of Morecambe 'keeper Scott Davies midway through the first half.

The game started to open up, and Jones again proved to be City's saviour when he kept out Carlton's effort from point-blank range.

Penalty saved

But it was nothing compared to his heroics on the half-hour, when City skipper Chris Todd conceded a penalty for a foul on Carlton.

There was disappointment for goalscorer Phillips, who limped off with a hamstring injury on 37 minutes. Adam Stansfield came on as substitute.

And things got worse for City when Morecambe finally got the equaliser they'd been threatening three minutes before half-time.

It was a soft goal for City to concede. Billy Jones failed to deal with a hopeful hoof forward, allowing Thompson to nip in and loft the ball over Jones and into the net off the underside of the bar. 1-1.

It was a thrilling first 45 minutes, but with Morecambe on top, the half-time whistle came at the right time for the Grecians.

Half-time: 1-1

City manager Paul Tisdale made two changes early in the second half, replacing Wayne Carlisle and Lee Elam with Richard Logan and Jamie Mackie.

Mackie almost made an immediate impact with a run and shot which went just wide in the 59th minute.

The game entered a cagey spell, with neither side really threatening.

Just as the final seemed to be heading for extra time, Morecambe again caught City out with a long ball forward in the 82nd minute.

Danny Carlton got on the end of it, cut inside and thumped an unstoppable left foot shot high into the net from 25 yards. 1-2.

The game ended badly for Matt Gill, who was sent off in added time for an apparent head-butt on Craig Stanley.

So City's first ever appearance at Wembley ended in tears - and it means their dream of returning to the Football League is over for another season.

City boss Paul Tisdale said they were undone by a wonder strike: "The players have put in a great effort all season and to finish like that is frustrating.

"We tried our best, but in the end we have been beaten by a fantastic goal, and you have to put your hand up.

"We had a wonderful start, but then we didn't continue our positive start and they got hold of the game.

"The first half was theirs. But after half-time I changed the formation and we had more of the ball.

"The dressing room is very quiet - there was a stony silence. You can imagine how the players are feeling.

"But you have to ride these days and harness energy from it听 and use that for next year."

Teams:

Exeter City:听Jones, Tully, Todd, Edwards, Jones, Carlisle (Logan, 53), Taylor, Gill, Elam (Mackie, 56), Challinor, Phillips (Stansfield, 37). Substitutes not used: Richardson,听Buckle.
Morecambe: Davies, Yates, Bentley, Blackburn, Adams, Thompson (Brannan, 86), Stanley, Sorvel, Twiss (Hunter, 72), Curtis, Carlton (McNiven, 88). Substitutes not used: Neal, Howard.
Ref: Michael Oliver.
Att: 40,043.