MORECAMBE FC are heading to Wembley in the Nationwide Conference play-off final after a 2-1 defeat of York City in the play-off semi-final second leg at Christie Park on Monday.

In front of a 5,000-plus crowd, Sammy McIllroy's side made it third-time lucky for the Shrimps after missing out on the play-off final twice before when two Wayne Curtis goals booked their place after the first leg had finished goalless.

Morecambe had gone behind to a 15th-minute Steve Bowey penalty after Morecambe keeper Steve Drench was stretchered off with a suspected dislocated elbow following a collision in which he was adjudged to have brought down York striker Clayton Donaldson.

Morecambe survived without having Drench shown a card and Bowey sent substitute keeper Scott Davies the wrong way from the spot.

York remained 1-0 until five minutes from half time when Curtis looped a header from Adam Yates' free kick over stranded York keeper Tom Evans.

Morecambe made a strong start after the break and went ahead two minutes in when Curtis struck again, scoring at the third attempt after keeper Evans had twice blocked shots from the edge of the area.

With his third attempt, Curtis lobbed the ball over Evans and the oncoming defenders with his left foot and saw the ball drop into the far corner of the net.

Morecambe defended their lead resolutely for the remainder of the second half and now await to see who wins the other semi-final, second leg between Exeter City and Oxford on Tuesday evening.