Goals from Sam Lavelle and Michael Rose gave Morecambe a vital three points with a battling victory over Exeter at the Globe Arena.
The Shrimps moved up to 18th in League Two and eight points clear of the bottom two after coming from a goal down in a game played in a fierce swirling wind.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley had made three changes from the side which drew at Crawley. Alex Kenyon, Garry Thompson and Callum Lang returned to the side in place of the injured Kevin Ellison while Andy Fleming and Aaron Wildig dropped to the bench.
Exeter played with the wind in the opening 45 minutes and possessed the major attacking threat in that time in Kyle Edwards.
Time and again in the first half, the West Bromwich Albion loanee posed a problem on the left-hand side, either by getting to the line and crossing or by cutting inside and shooting at goal.
He sent one attempt narrowly over from the edge of the box and cut the ball back for Ryan Harley to shoot off target as the visitors, initially, had the clearer sights of goal.
At the other end, Rose had a vociferous penalty appeal waved away after his free-kick was blocked by the wall before the visitors took a 37th minute lead. Lloyd James’ pass was dummied by Jayden Stockley and full-back Sweeney, all alone a dozen yards out, showed commendable composure to slot the ball past Barry Roche.
Morecambe drew level six minutes later though when Lavelle got free to power home a header from Rose’s corner.
There was still time, however, for arguably the game’s turning point to come seconds after the Shrimps had got on level terms.
Edwards cut inside from the Exeter left, beating a couple of challenges and arrowing a shot towards the top corner, only for Roche to produce an acrobatic fingertip save and push the ball over the bar.
In the second half Morecambe tried to utilise the strong wind, almost shooting on sight when they got within range of the visitors’ goal. Adam McGurk and Kenyon were twice off target, while Rose’s bouncing effort from 30 yard was held by City keeper Christy Pym.
At the other end, Edwards found the side netting and Stockley fired a free-kick wide before the winner came 12 minutes from time. Aaron McGowan’s cross was collected by Kenyon; he laid the ball back for Rose, who took a touch before beating Pym from 25 yards for a goal that clinched a vital three points.
Morecambe: Roche, McGowan, Winnard, Lavelle, Conlan, Kenyon, Rose, Thompson, Lang (Wildig 85), Wylde (Campbell 80), McGurk (Oliver 80). Subs not used: Nizic, Brough, Fleming, Lund.
Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Brown, Archibald-Henville (Simpson 83), Moxey, Harley (Jay 83), Boateng, James (Tillson 60), Taylor, Stockley, Edwards. Subs not used: Jones, McAlinden, Wilson, Croll.
Referee: Carl Boyeson.
Attendance: 1,056.