Morecambe were 2-0 down and played the majority of the second half with 10-men, but they belied all of that to come back and beat Peterborough United 3-2 at Christie Park as the poor form over Christmas continued and it will be hard to fathom out how Darren Ferguson and his side failed to take anything from the fixture.

Heavy rain overnight and during the day meant the Christie Park surface was certainly heavy going under-foot and as one player said prior to kick-off, it was not going to be a game for the purists. It would be a battle and one where Peterborough United would have to dig in and show their real qualities if they were to collect maximum points.

A dipping volley from winger Garry Thompson on two minutes was superbly tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Mark Tyler as Morecambe won the first corner kick of the afternoon. Tyler was on hand to collect the loose ball as Thompson headed the flag-kick in the air. George Boyd's cross at the other end was volleyed behind by Dave Artell as Posh responded with their first corner.

It was Jamie Day who swung in the corner and it was met by a superb header from Craig MORGAN who powered his effort past Joe Lewis for his first goal of the season. A direct run from Boyd saw him drift past the full-back, but his fierce left-foot shot flew over the crossbar.

The pace of Mackail-Smith saw him get on the inside of Jim Bentley, but the burly defender did well to get back and put the ball behind for the second corner for Posh. It was the same result for Posh as Day's corner picked out Charlie LEE whose header beat Lewis and found the bottom corner of net.

A low skidding effort from Lee was well claimed by Lewis as Posh continued to dominate the early exchanges. Morecambe captain Bentley should have reduced the arrears after being afforded plenty of room at a free-kick on the centre circle, but the defender headed straight at Tyler.

The energetic Boyd then drifted past two defenders and saw a dipping shot tipped over the bar by Lewis for another corner kick which was taken by Day, flicked on by Howe into the path of Boyd but he fired over at the back post.

The home side reduced the arrears on 26 minutes and predictably it was a set-piece that was the undoing as Craig Stanley drifted a free-kick into the area which was met by ARTELL who sent his header past Tyler into the corner. Immediately Boyd should have done better after wriggling free of the attentions of Bentley, but he dragged his shot wide.

Matt Blinkhorn then sent a shot just inside the area wide of the target as the Shrimps began to get on top. The same player then tricked his way past Morgan but he couldn't keep his left-footed effort down and it flew over the bar.

A long-range drive from Lee just fizzed past the post on 37 minutes as Posh tried to extend their lead after coming under the cosh for the previous 10 minutes, particularly with set-pieces.

There was controversy moments into the second half as Artell was shown a straight red card for an incident with Chris Whelpdale with the defender appearing to stamp on the winger - the linesman's flag bringing the referee's attention to the altercation.

A deflected effort from the talented Baker whistled wide of the target as Morecambe won their second corner in successive session and BAKER stooped to head past Tyler at the near post to make it 2-2 and bring the 10-men level. Baker was booked for jumping into the crowd to celebrate.

A curling shot from Whelpdale was held by the on-loan Joe Lewis, who was playing his final game before returning to his parent club Norwich City. The same two players were involved on the hour mark as the goalkeeper pushed a near post shot around the post from Whelpdale.

Jeff Hughes replaced Howe just after the hour mark with Boyd pushed up front alongside Mackail-Smith. Substitute Hughes was then denied by Lewis after Mackail-Smith had skipped past three defenders before delivering an inch-perfect pass into the winger's path.

Boyd sent a curling effort over the bar on 68 minutes after Morecambe had replaced the hard-working Blinkhorn with the more creative midfield man Neil Sorvel. The hosts were given the chance to get themselves in front after Day handballed a Thompson cross and the referee Mr Boyeson pointed to the penalty spot. Day was cautioned and BAKER stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick on 70 minutes high into the roof of the net.

Whelpdale fired over from 20-yards as the ball fell kindly to the ex-Billericay man following a Day free-kick. Tyler then made a superb save to tip a speculative 25-yard effort from Stanley onto the crossbar and then substitute Curtis headed wide of the near post as Posh struggled. Lee then saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Bentley before Newton curled a left-foot shot well wide.

On 88 minutes Boyd came desperately close to leveling as his downward header hit the base of the post before being hacked away from danger. Hyde then saw a shot blocked as the Shrimps soaked up the pressure. Deep into stoppage time, Lewis, who produced heroics at London Road in the first fixture, made a wonderful double stop to deny Keates and prove it was not going to be Posh's day.

Final Score: Morecambe 3-2 Peterborough United

Referee: Mr C Boyeson (East Yorkshire)
Attendance: 2,371 (261 Posh fans)