United leave it late to strike ...
Carlisle left it late but two goals in a thundering two minute spell earned them a victory which keeps their play-off push well on track.
The Shrimps set things off with a bright move down the left flank but a cross from Devitt was well cleared by Raynes. Kenyon was onto it like a flash but his powerful shot, from distance, crept just over the bar.
United survived an early scare when a long throw from Barkhuizen was flicked to Mullin. He showed guile with a neat overhead kick which bounced down into the danger area off the underside of the bar. Ellison was onto it quickly but he could only send a header on the stretch onto the upright and Hanford reacted quickly to make a block on the follow-up shot.
It was all Morecambe in the opening exchanges and Wildig went on a direct run as it opened up in midfield. He shot on the run but Gillesphey made an excellent blocking tackle.
Carlisle got forward well on 11 minutes when Kennedy sent the ball wide for Hope to chase. He cut back inside and Roche was pleased to see a deflected cross spin comfortably into his hands.
The hosts looked sharp and they almost picked a way through when Beeley played a one-two with Devitt, but the ball took a bobble just as he shaped to deliver.
Barkhuizen was next to go close when he wound his way through two challenges before cutting back to a shooting position. He went for the top corner but it was always curling high.
Carlisle went close on 21 minutes when Hope spotted him in space 24-yards from goal. A touch left room for a shot and Roche did well to get down and palm it away.
The Cumbrians started to see more of the ball and a crossfield pass from Comley left McQueen with time on his hands. He didn't disappoint with an excellent delivery and Roche had to show good hands to stop an Ibehre header from flying into his top corner.
It proved to be an important moment as a lightning quick break left Ellison one-on-one with Hanford. The veteran campaigner, who turned 37 this week, kept his cool to pop a neat finish over the advancing keeper.
Ellison went close again when he robbed possession from Wyke on the half way line. There was space to utilise and he was a whisker away with a low shot which whistled across the face of goal.
Chances became scarce as things tightened up in midfield ahead of the break but Mullin popped one over from 22-yards as he tried to add to the tally in time added on.
United started on the front foot after the break but flicks from Kennedy and Raynes came to nothing, and the visitors were almost caught on the hop when a ball over the top sat up nicely for Ellison. A touch put him clean through but Hanford did well to save with his feet.
Away spirits were raised when a long throw bounced across the six-yard line but Wyke was frustrated as he stretched but failed to apply the finishing touch.
And the visitors were even closer when McQueen was left all alone for a deep corner. He set himself for the volley and his rocket skipped just past the upright having taken a further touch from Ibehre along the way.
Another decent Gilliead set piece brought a goalmouth scramble when Ellis jumped high to head the ball at the back stick. Ibehre, Raynes and Wyke tried to get on the end of it but strong home defending kept the blue tide at bay.
Morecambe weren't about to sit back and wait and Wildig put one an inch wide when the ball ran loose following a half clearance from a Mullin cross. Hope was just as close at the other end when he stepped inside to curl one at the far post.
Carlisle didn't shy away from the task at hand and they were awarded a penalty with eight minutes left to play when Wyke was bundled to the floor from an Ellis cross. The big striker dusted himself down and made no mistake with his finish.
And the game was turned on its head two minutes later when Wyke turned provider with a lovely run inside the area. He twisted and turned and the ball eventually spun free for Derek Asamoah to write his name in lights with an emphatic match winning strike.
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Goals
Morecambe - Ellison (27)
United - Wyke (83 pen), Asamoah (85)
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Bookings
Morecambe - Kenyon (73), Edwards (90)
United - Raynes (49)
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Teams
Morecambe - Roche, Beeley, Kenyon, Edwards, Devitt (Molyneux 79), Barkhuizen, Ellison, Mullin (McGowan 79), Goodall, Wildig, Doyle. Subs - O'Hara, Bondswell, Bailey, Wilson.
Carlisle United - Hanford, McQueen (Asamoah 80), Raynes, Ellis, Gillesphey, Gilliead, Kennedy, Comley (Joyce 46), Hope (Hery 80), Wyke, Ibehre. Subs - Bacon, Brough, Rigg, Thompson.
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Referee - Mr Darren Drysdale
Attendance - 3,070 (1,454 away fans)