HOLDERS Morecambe edged into the next round of the Lancashire Cup despite a scare against lowly Nelson.

The Shrimps, flying high in the Conference, were ahead inside 15 seconds at Christie Park thanks to Lee Elam.

And that became 2-0 when Michael Stringfellow headed home after 11 minutes to put Morecambe in cruise control.

But Paul Barrett pulled a goal back for the Blues before Elam restored Morecambe's two-goal lead.

A thrilling first half was drawing to a close when Barrett made it 3-2 after a defensive howler from debutant Carl Ruffer, who took his long-awaited bow with Jimmy Kelly.

The second period never lived up to the excitement of the first, although Barrett missed a great chance to level near the end.

MORECAMBE: Robinson, Mahoney, Ruffer (Kempson 47), Stringfellow, Howard, Walmsley, Osborne, Kelly (Heard 49), Dodgeson, McFlynn, Elam.