A GOAL from second half substitute Danny Carlton was enough to give Morecambe the edge in the Lancashire FA Marsden Cup final at Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium on Tuesday night.

A long ball over the top saw Shrimps' top scorer Carlton outpace the defence to lob home keeper John Kennedy with just six minutes remaining.

It was the least Morecambe deserved out of the first leg of the final - in fact the game could have been done and dusted but for misses by both Carlton and Garry Thompson and a vital save from Accrington keeper Jon Kennedy.

But this was really a result founded on rock solid defence marshalled by Jim Bentley and the recalled Iain Swan, who hardly gave the Stanley attack a glimpse of Craig Mawson's goal throughout the 90 minutes.

Accrington only threatened from the odd set piece - and Mawson had just one save of note to make following a free kick in the first half.

Morecambe won it late on as manager Jim Harvey sent on substitutes Thompson - fit again after four weeks on the sidelines - and Carlton.

Thompson could have scored within minutes as Gary Hunter played him through, but a challenge from Jerome Fitzgerald saw the chance snuffed out.

But Carlton made no mistake when Mawson's long clearance put him clear in the 85th minute, easily beating Kennedy with an astute lob.

o The second leg of the final will be played at Christie Park next Tuesday, April 6, with a 7.45pm kick off. A draw will be enough for the Shrimps to lift the Marsden Trophy.