Woking 0 Morecambe 1

DAN the man rose to the occasion as Morecambe gave new caretaker boss Sammy McIlroy a winning start by seeing off the Woking challenge.

The win, Morecambe's first in four games, was earned against the run of play but the celebrating Shrimps didn't care a jot thanks to Carlton's.

The Yorkshireman became the pride of Lancashire in the 19th minute of the game as the Shrimps put their dodgy away form behind them.

With only two wins from eight games on the road this season, a trip to Kingfield was always going to be a major test at the end of a week and a half.

With Jim Harvey convalescing from his heart attack and McIlroy and Mark Lillis in charge just two days prior to the game, things could easily have gone wrong.

And Stuart Nethercott's early half volley was going in until it hit Justin Richards and bounced to safety, while Craig McAllister forced a good save out of Ryan Robinson.

But Morecambe took the lead on 19 minutes after Steve Ferguson's pass to full-back Karim El-Salahi fell short, allowing Michael Twiss to nip in and steal the ball.

He did well and found Carlton, who controlled beautifully before stabbing the ball beyond the despairing dive of Shwan Jalal in the Woking goal.

The goal should have been cancelled out seconds later when Karl Murray's cross found McAllister but his header from eight yards was well wide of the target.

Dave Perkins was marvellous for Morecambe and he prompted several attacking moves but the Shrimps struggled to make a breakthrough.

And just after the break their lead almost disappeared when Ferguson's long-range shot beat Robinson but rattled a post.

Most of the play was now in the Morecambe half of the field and McAllister wasted a chance when he decided to pass rather than shoot from a decent position.

But despite the seemingly one-way traffic, Morecambe almost doubled their advantage when Garry Thompson's cross found John Hardiker, whose header was hacked clear, while skipper Jim Bentley fired a volley just over the top.

Then Wayne Curtis was denied by Jahal and Twiss shot wide as the freezing fog descended.

But Morecambe were tough in defence and had the let off they deserved in injury time when a Richards header hit the foot of a post and bounced clear.

Morecambe: Robinson 8, Hardiker 7, Bentley 7, Kempson 7, Howard 7, Thompson 8, Brannan 7, Perkins 9, Curtis 7, Carlton 8 (O,Connor 74, Walmsley 88), Twiss 8. Subs (not used): Kelly, Davies, Lloyd.

Referee: R Desmond

Attendance: 2,069