FULL TIME: Morecambe 1 Accrington Stanley 2 (From This Is Lancashire)

FULL TIME: Morecambe 1 Accrington Stanley 2

4:53pm Saturday 26th December 2009

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TWO goals from defender Phil Edwards gave Accrington Stanley victory at play-off rivals Morecambe in League Two this afternoon.

Edwards headed the visitors in front just after half time and then scored from the penalty spot before Garry Hunter's goal for Morecambe put the pressure on in the closing stages.

After a quiet start to the match Stanley thought they had gone ahead when Bobby Grant played in Michael Symes and the striker found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Symes then saw a shot deflected just wide, while Stanley were furious that they were not awarded a penalty when Andy Procter was brought down by David Artell in a goalmouth melee.

Grant fired wide when he might have scored after collecting a lay-off from Symes, before the same man was unlucky not to find the corner with a free kick that forced a fine save from Barry Roche.

Sean McConville was denied by Roche after the interval but Stanley's goal finally came in the 56th minute as the ball broke to Grant from a short corner and he crossed for Edwards to head home from six yards.

John Coleman's side had to wait only six minutes for a second as Andy Parrish brought down McConville in the box and centre back Edwards scored again from the penalty spot.

But Morecambe piled men forward in an attempt to change the pattern of the game and it worked almost immediately as Mark Duffy's cross found its way to Hunter at the back post and the midfielder lashed a low shot past Bouzanis.

And Stanley almost lost their lead as soon as they had gained it as Will Haining's header came back off the post, while with time ticking down substitute Wayne Curtis somehow put the ball wide when clean through.

But Accrington were able to hang on and win the battle of the League Two form teams at Christie Park.

Stanley: Dean Bouzanis; Tom Lees, Phil Edwards, Darran Kempson, Dean Winnard; Sean McConville, Jimmy Ryan, Luke Joyce, Andy Procter; Michael Symes, Bobby Grant (Billy Kee 83). Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Johnny Flynn, Peter Murphy, John Mullin, John Miles, Gary King.

Morecambe: Barry Roche; Andy Parrish, David Artell, Will Haining, Laurence Wilson; Garry Hunter (Neil Wainwright 84), Craig Stanley, Stewart Drummond, Michael Twiss; Paul Mullin (Wayne Curtis 74), Phil Jevons (Mark Duffy 44). Subs not used: Scott Davies, Jim Bentley, Darren Moss, Aaron Taylor.

Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 3,478.

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