Armed robbers who hit two Melbourne shops still on the run

Men armed with guns have robbed two Melbourne stores and tried to rob another.

Police believe the two men attempted to get into a convenience store on Epsom Road in Ascot Vale around 3.25am today, with a staff member confirming the pair stood at the locked entrance with their faces covered.

The attendant refused to let the men in, causing them to flee in a dark-coloured car.

Two more armed robberies occurred in the Albert Park area a short time later.

The first was at a service station on Ferrars Street at around 3.50am, before the pair targeted a convenience store on Victoria Avenue at about 4am.

In both instances, the men had their faces covered, carried long-arm firearms, and fled in a dark-coloured car with cigarettes and money.

Both men are described as Caucasian with an average height and build.