KEIERAN Walmsley's stunning free-kick pushed Morecambe right back into the play-off fray as they stunned Stevenage at Broadhall Way.

Walmsley lashed home from 30-yards after just 16 minutes but the Shrimps won the game on the back of a fantastic defensive display.

Borough's plan appeared to be nothing more than hoofing the ball as far and as high as they could into the Morecambe penalty area.

It obviously works for them but Jim Harvey's men coped superbly with that aerial assault in style.

They had the odd scare on the way especially when George Boyd saw a chip land on the roof of the net after eight minutes.

But Walmsley struck with his 30-yard thunderbolt to put Morecambe in the driving seat and from that moment on the defence refused to be breached.

Jim Bentley was outstanding, just three bays after being forced off at Burton Albion in the FA Trophy with a facial injury.

The skipper won ever high ball as Stevenage huffed and puffed. And Morecambe could have won by a greater margin with Michael Twiss going close on a couple of occasions.

At the other end Ryan Robinson, in goal in place of Adam Sollitt, denied Darren Stamp a couple of times while Danny Carlton wasted a late chance to make the game safe.

Fortunately for him Robinson remained alert and his defence carried on with their mean streak to shut Boro out.

MORECAMBE: Robinson, Blackburn, Howard, Bentley, Kempson, Swan, Walmsley (Thompson 65, Carlton 90), Kelly, Hunter, Twiss, Heard. Subs (not used): Sollitt, Curtis, Osborne.