TWO classic goals lifted Morecambe back into the Conference play-off zone as they easily saw off promotion rivals York City at Christie Park.

A Gary Thompson free kick and Sean O'Connor's superb finish from 20 yards were the decisive moments in a super Shrimps show.

If this had been a boxing match the referee would have probably ended the contest just after half time.

Morecambe were the better team in every department right from the start the only surprise was that it took a full 81 minutes before they snatched the second goal which put the game beyond the visitors.

The game was so one-sided that debutant goalkeeper Steven Drench, signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers as cover for the injured Ryan Robinson, did not have a single save to make in the whole 90 minutes.

It took less than three minutes for the pattern to form as Curtis was crudely brought down on the edge of the York penalty area as he galloped through on goal.

The challenge earned defender Lee Andrews a caution and the resulting free kick saw York's first escape as Michael Twiss's sweet left foot free kick beat keeper Chris Porter but rebounded to safety off the post.

The breakthrough came on 28 minutes after Twiss back to something like his best form was brought down by Jamie Price 20 yards from goal.

Thompson's free kick cleared the wall and slotted neatly into the bottom corner of the net beyond Porter's despairing dive.

York rallied briefly for Andy Bishop to half-hit a shot wide of the Morecambe keeper's right hand post.

But at the other end Carlton was inches away from connecting with a cross from Dave Perkins, Darran Kempson headed over and Curtis shot high and wide as normal service was resumed.

York brought on substitute keeper Dave Stockdale at half time and he was soon in the thick of the action as Perkins broke forward.

Kempson should perhaps have doubled the score as he came forward for another corner but glanced his header wide.

Leo Bertos York's best player on the day saw his name go into referee Nolan's book for a lunge at Morecambe man-of-the-match Thompson on 59 minutes.

And as the Morecambe attacks continued, even full back John Hardiker was joining in to see a shot saved by Stockdale as he broke down the right.

York took heart from the succession of misses, saves and blocked shots, with manager Billy McEwan throwing on Joe O'Neill for Mark Convery to try to provide some attacking threat on 77 minutes.

Morecambe responded by swapping Danny Carlton for Sean O'Connor up front and it was Sammy McIlroy who had the widest smile in the ground just four minutes later.

Perkins picked up a loose ball just outside the Morecambe penalty area and fed Thompson.

The flanker made 30 yards down the centre before placing his pass into the path of O'Connor coming in from the right, and his neat first touch set him up to blast the ball beyond Stockdale to end the contest. A classic counter attack.

MORECAMBE: Drench 6, Hardiker 7, Kempson 7 Bentley 7, Howard 7, Thompson 9, Brannan 7 (Kelly 89), Perkins 7, Curtis 7, Twiss 8, Carlton 7 (O'Connor 77). Subs not used: Lloyd, Walmsley, Davies.

Referee: Mr I Nolan Attendance: 1,778