Morecambe 4 Macclesfield Town 1

Last updated : 26 December 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Morecambe recorded their biggest win of the season with a knockout Boxing Day display.

The Shrimps sealed only their fifth win of the campaign but fully deserved the three points with their best display for some time.

Things did no look so good for Sammy McIlroy's side early on however as Macclesfield Town dominated the early stages of the game.

Izak Reid gave the SIlkmen the lead after just two minutes when he converted Martin Gritton's neat lay-off and the same player should have made it 2-0 five minutes later when Barry Roche failed to claim a cross, but the Macc midfielder failed to find the target from six yards with his volley.

Gareth Evans then went close twice before the Shrimps went on to dominate the rest of the game with some fine football.

Henry McStay brought Morecambe level with a close-range volley after 17 minutes, after Craig Stanley's free-kick was flicked on to the far post.

And then on-loan striker Danny Carlton made it 2-1 from another Stanley set-piece as a left-wing corner was flicked on by Rene Howe to give Carlton a free header six yards out.

The Shrimps then went on to control the second half.

Macclesfield keeper John Brain was forced into three early second-half saves as he blocked two Jim Bentley efforts and a Carlton header before the Shrimps secured the three points with Stewart Drummond nipping in between Brain and Paul Morgan to head home a Neil Wainwright cross.

Morecambe saved the best to last with top scorer Howe completing the scoring with a delightful goal 11 minutes from time.

Taking the ball on the left-hand side of the area he curled a wonderful effort into the top corner of Brain's net.