Supersub George Lapslie came off the bench to hand Gillingham a second straight League 2 win on Saturday.
A solid display from the visitors was capped with 13 minutes left when Lapslie turned the ball in from close range.
Gillingham made three changes from the side that beat Carlisle seven days ago in their League 2 opener.
Conor Masterson, Tim Dieng and Aaron Rowe were all ruled out through injury with Shad Ogie, Jonny Williams and Jayden Clarke coming into the starting XI.
There was also a place on the bench for 17-year-old midfielder Harry Waldock, who has impressed during pre-season.
Among the Morecambe starting line-up was former GIlls defender David Tutonda.
Just as manager Mark Bonner demanded, Gillingham started the game on the frontfoot with both widemen, Clarke and Jack Nolan, prominent early on.
However, the Gills were unable to fashion a clear-cut chance and, playing with the wind, Morecambe started to test the visiting defence.
Callum Jones’ shot from the edge of the box was blocked before Ben Tollitt bulldozed his way through two challenges but keeper Jake Turner pushed away his deflected 20-yard right-foot shot.
A poor throw-in by Max Clark nearly presented Morecambe with the breakthrough but referee Daniel Middleton was not fooled by Hallan Hope’s dive as Ogie stepped across, although there was surprisingly no caution for the theatricals.
Gillingham had further cause for complaint seven minutes before half-time. Lone striker Jacob Wakeling was clearly pulled back by centre-half Jamie Stott but the referee didn’t give a free-kick, let alone a red card for a potential professional foul.
Morecambe should have been ahead when good work by Tutonda ended the ball falling for Gwion Edwards in the box but he diverted a left-foot shot just wide of the far post.
Then Williams had Gillingham’s first clear sight of goal, striking low from 25 yards on 43 minutes but keeper Stuart Moore turned his effort past the post for a corner.
Gills had the first chance of the second half when Nolan lined up a free-kick from 30 yards but he was unable to keep his shot down and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Gillingham made a double change just past the hour with Lapslie and Oli Hawkins coming on in attack, the pair nearly combining immediately as Lapslie’s cross was saved by keeper Moore before the striker could tuck it home.
Nolan tested the palms of Moore with a low left-foot drive from 30 yards as the introduction of Hawkins helped Gills hold the ball up front for longer periods.
Harvey Macadam flashed a 20-yard shot just wide for Morecambe as both teams still had intent to take maximum points.
The breakthrough came for the Gills with 13 minutes left when Hutton did well to keep the ball alive in the box. Ogie’s shot on the turn was saved by Moore but when Clarke drove the ball back into the danger zone, Lapslie was on hand to score from close range.
Gillingham nearly added a second in the 90th minute when Lapslie crossed into the box and Hawkins powered a header against the woodwork.
Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie (Millen 90mins), White (Slew 68mins), Stott, Edwards, Macadam, Hope, Tollitt (Angol 80mins), Tutonda (Lewis 90mins), Songo’o, Jones. Subs not used: Burgoyne,, Taylor,, Dobson.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Ogie, Ehmer, Clark, Little, McKenzie, J Williams (Lapslie 62mins), Clarke, Nolan (Gbode 81mins), Wakeling (Hawkins 62mins). Subs not used: Morris, Giles, Wyllie, Waldock.
Referee: Daniel Middleton.
Attendance: 3,611 (404 away).
