TEN-MAN Stanley secured a vital three points in their race for the play-offs with a thrilling victory over rivals Morecambe.

John Coleman's side produced a performance full of passion to come back from a goal behind and overcome the disappointment of losing in-form striker Lee McEvilly who was sent off in the first half.

McEvilly saw red after an off the ball incident involving Morecambe defender Darran Kempson but, despite the disadvantage, Stanley went on to dominate the game against a Morecambe side which had hit a good run of form recently.

Coleman called for a passionate display before the game and that is just what he got.

The game did not go exactly to plan however as Coleman's side found themselves a goal down after just 13 minutes.

Stanley keeper Paul Crichton made a real hash of a tame Michael Twiss shot and although he reacted sharply to save Wayne Curtis's first effort the Morecambe striker slammed home the loose ball at the second attempt.

To their credit, the home side picked themselves up immediately and began to work their way back into the game and should have had a penalty on 25 minutes.

Debutant David Brown was brought down inside the penalty area by Curtis but the referee only gave a free kick on the very edge of the penalty area much to the disgust of the Stanley faithful.

That chance went begging but there were more to come.

After vital defensive clearances from Jim Bentley and Twiss, Stanley received their just reward on 37 minutes.

Peter Cavanagh swung in a cross from the right and McEvilly used his strength and power to beat Kempson in the air and direct a header past Ryan Robinson from six yards out.

McEvilly was then the villain as he raised his arms to Kempson needlessly after a challenge and his sending off meant Stanley had an uphill battle.

But in the end it mattered little.

Apart from a 25 yard drive from Garry Hunter on 47 minutes that went inches wide of the right hand post the second half belonged to the ten-men.

Steve Jagielka, who gave a towering performance in midfield, should have done better than volley over the bar from close range before the game became an intriguing midfield battle.

Stanley always looked the more threatening and they made their pressure pay with a second goal on 71 minutes.

Rory Prendergast, who had been left out of the side in preference to newcomer Gary Roberts, produced a superb run down the left wing before delivering a lethal cross which was headed home by Paul Mullin at full stretch.

Morecambe awoke from their slumber for the final ten minutes and caused the home defence as few nervous moments.

Danny Carlton did have the ball in the back of the net on 80 minutes but the effort was ruled out for a foul.

Lee Elam then volleyed wide from the edge of the box but there was little the Shrimps could do to unsettle the solid home defence and a wonderful victory was secured.

STANLEY: Crichton 6, Cavanagh 7, Butler 7, Williams 7, Jagielka 8, McEvilly 7, Brannan 6 (rep Proctor 11, 7), Flynn 7, Roberts 7 (rep Prendergast 66), Mullin 8, Brown 7 (rep Craney 77). Subs not used: Alcock, O'Neill.

BOOKED: Mullin.

SENT OFF: McEvilly.

MORECAMBE: Robinson 6; Blackburn 6, Bentley 6, Kempson 7, Howard 7, Swan 6 (rep Carlton 51), Curtis 6, Kelly 6 (rep Walmsley 57), Hunter 6, Thompson 6 (rep Elam 72), Twiss 6. Subs not used: Sollitt, Mahoney.

REF: P Bramley (Leeds).

ATT: 1,804