Morecambe went down to their first defeat in nine games as Stanley maintained their strangelhold over the Shrimps.

Two goals from defender Phil Edwards, who played a couple of games for Morecambe on loan a few seasons ago, gave John Coleman's side their third successive win over Morecambe.

Edwards opened the scoring with a close range header on 55 minutes before adding a second with a 61st minute penalty.

Morecambe hit back with Garry Hunter making it 2-1 with a fine strike past Dean Bouzanis on 69 minutes. The Shrimps went on to dominate the final stages of the game with Will Haining hitting a post and Hunter coming close with another volley from Mark Duffy's fine cross. 

The vsitors had the better of the half with Morecambe keeper Barry Roche making the only save of note in the first half when he flung himself to his right to tip away an excellent effoer from Robert Grant.

Roche made two easier saves from Grant and another John Miles free kick before Michael Symes saw a goal disallowed for offside after running on to Grant's excellent through ball.

Morecambe's only effort of note came when top scorer Phil Jevons headed a Craig Stanley free kick wide of the right hand post. But there was some bad news for the home side to come when Jevons was forced to leave the field after being fouled by Phil Edwards. 

The Shrimps remain unchanged for the visit of Accrington Stanley for this Boxing Day clash thaqt goes ahead after a magnificent effort from fans and officials to clear the pitch this morning.

Morecambe: Roche; Parrish, Artell, Haining, Wilson; Stanley, Hunter, Twiss, Mullin, Jevons. Subs: Davies,  Moss, Bentley, Curtis, Wainwright, Duffy, Taylor.

Accrington: Bouzanis; Lees, Kempson, Edwards, Winnard, Proctor, Joyce, Ryan, Symes, Grant. Subs: Dunbavin, Miles, Kee, Mullin, Murphy, King, Flynn.

Ref: C Webster.