United scored in both halves and got themselves off the bottom of the table with an away victory at Morecambe.
Mark Hughes made two changes from last weekend's victory over Newport, with Cameron Harper returning from his concussion to replace the injured Archie Davies, and Matty Dennis replacing Josh Vela.
It was a cagy start from both sides until Sean Fusire forced the issue after a strong run down the right. He went past his man and got into the box where it looked like he was dragged down by Tom White but the referee waved the appeals away.
Lee Angol had Morecambe first real effort on goal with 20 minutes on the clock after a long ball forward fell nicely for him on the edge of the box. He sliced the volley well wide.
United had their first effort on goal shortly afterwards when Kelly sent a great ball down the line for Harris. The winger got the ball into the box but Matty Dennis couldn't connect as he wanted and sent the effort wide of the post.
The Blues took the lead with 27 minutes on the clock. Georgie Kelly got on the end of a deep cross from Jack Ellis and headed expertly past Harry Burgoyne in the home goal.
The striker almost scored another head two minutes later when he got on the end of a Harris cross, but the Morecambe defender got across to block it behind for a corner which Morecambe cleared away.
Morecambe should have been level just before the break when Hallam Hope got on the end of a cross, but directed his shot wide from the back post.
HALF-TIME: Morecambe 0-1 United
Terell Thomas sent a ball over the top in the opening minutes of the second half but Georgie Kelly mis-controlled and handled before he could get the shot off.
Morecambe had a chance of their own shortly afterwards when Songo'o got on the end of a corner into the box, but he volleyed over the bar.
United got their second goal of the game when they recycled the ball from a corner. Jack Ellis put another fantastic ball into the box, Terell Thomas took a perfect touch and slid it home in front of the packed away end.
With 72 minutes on the clock, United created another chance as Matty Dennis made ground down the right, he floated a cross in but Stephen Wearne's header lacked power and the Morecambe keeper held it.
Gabe Breeze pulled off a fantastic save as Callum Jones took a shot on from 30 yards for Morecambe as United continued to protect their clean sheet with five minutes left.
United had it in the back of the net again through Kelly but Bevan was judged to have handled the ball from Hugill's cross.
It looked comfortable in the end for United as Morecambe failed to create any clear cut chances and the Blues head back up the M6 with a huge three points.
FULL-TIME: Morecambe 0-2 United
Teams:
Morecambe - Burgoyne, A Lewis, White (Dackers 71), Stott, Hope (Tollitt 46), Angol, Williams (Taylor 46), Dallas (Fairclough 46), Tutonda (P Lewis 46), Songo'o, Jones.
Unused subs - Schofield, Slew.
United - Breeze, Harper, Thomas ©, Hayden, Kelly, Ellis, Dennis (Hugill 80), Wearne (Bevan 89), Harris, Whelan (Guy 89), Fusire (Vela 76).
Unused subs - Lewis, Lavelle, McArthur.
Goals:
Morecambe - N/A
United - Kelly (28), Thomas (60)
Yellow cards:
Morecambe - Angol (36)
United - Whelan (38), Breeze (75)
Red cards:
Morecambe - N/A
United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Ben Toner
Assistant Referee 1 - Conor Brown
Assistant Referee 2 - Daniel Woodward
Fourth Official - Jonathan Wyatt
Attendance:
4,901 (1,725 away)
