MORECAMBE enjoyed mixed fortunes in the league over Christmas - but still go into their run of cup ties in fifth place in the Conference.

Saturday saw the Shrimps lose to a last minute goal against promotion rivals Halifax in a controversy-filled match at the Shay.

After a relatively uneventful first half, the game came alive after the break.

Craig Mawson was forced to make a great diving save to deny St Kitts international Brian Quailey's long-range effort while, at the other end Adriano Rigog-lioso and Lee Elam were both denied by Lee Butler.

Referee Mr Harwood was busy with his yellow card throughout the game, booking five players from either side before, on 77 minutes, showing a second yellow to Halifax midfielder Phil Clarkson.

However, Morecambe struggled to take advantage of having he extra man and the game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw - until a calamitous last minute.

Big Jamie Murphy - who lists Halifax among his former clubs - tried to play a back pass tokeeper Mawson but his weak effort was intercepted by Andy Farrell and the youngster held his nerve to tap the ball home and claim all three points for the hosts in front of a crowd of more than 2,000.

Southport played the role of the seasonal turkeys as they were given a festive stuffing by the Shrimps on Boxing Day.

Morecambe looked by far the better side in all departments and could have won by a much wider margin in a game that will give them renewed confidence for the tough end of season run in.

It took just 12 minutes for Jim Harvey's side to get their noses in front with a close-range goal from Wayne Curtis.

Southport had been in the pack of teams behind Morecambe in the hunt for the fifth play-off place, but could have been two goals down within 20 minutes when a last gasp Neil Gibson clearance denied Michael Stringfellow.

Craig Mawson was forced into a good save from a long-range Andy Scott effort as Southport briefly rallied, but, after the break, Morecambe finally found the killer second goal.

It came from Adriano Rigoglioso, who fired the ball past Steve Dickinson with a low shot from the edge of the area.

With Rigoglioso now dominating proceedings, the final goal came through a well worked move involving Stringfellow and Garry Thompson, before the big midfielder provided the finish and some Christmas cheer for the almost 2,000 fans in the crowd.