MORECAMBE'S six-match Conference unbeaten run has pushed them right to the edge of the play-off positions and now boss Jim Harvey wants his men to kick on.

Saturday's opponents Canvey Island are nervously looking over their shoulders at the wrong end of the table while Morecambe, on the other hand, are just three points off the play-offs. But the manager is not taking anything for granted.

"We need to keep our momentum going and we have a chance to consolidate," says Harvey. "Everyone in the dressing room is very happy. Five points over Christmas, considering other results, is good and now we need to move on."

Sunday's fantastic comeback at Carlisle in a 3-3 draw saw the Shrimps complete their festive programme after drawing with the Cumbrians at Christie Park on Boxing Day and beating Farnborough in midweek.

And the point at Brunton Park was all the more impressive considering Harvey's injury problems.

Of those injured and sick only skipper Jim Bentley (groin) is a big doubt for Saturday, although Chris Blackburn is suspended.

Long-term injured Jimmy Kelly and Carl Ruffer may feature on Tuesday night in the Lancashire Cup clash with lowly Nelson at Christie Park - a repeat of last season when Morecambe won 6-2 and Nelson's manager Dave Hall is looking forward to a big night out for his North West Counties League side.

"It's bucket and spade time," says Hall, a former Blackburn Rovers coach. "It's probably the best we could have hoped for and I'm going to stick my head on the block and say we won't get beaten 6-2."