Morecambe maintained their late push towards the play-offs with a narrow victory over a tired Telford United.
It was former Telford defender Jim Bentley who scored the only goal of the game to earn Morecambe their fourth successive Conference victory and keep them within earshot of the leading sides.
Bentley struck with a 67th minute header when he converted a Wayne Curtis corner with a fierce effort which beat the excellent Chris MacKenzie low to his left.
In truth, it was a goal the home side deserved. They had much the better of the contest against the visitors who were clearly showing signs of tiredness after a tough recent programme.
Morecambe started the better, and should have taken the lead after just nine minutes.
Good work down the left by Curtis ended with a low cross into the box for Danny Carlton but his effort was well blocked by the Telford keeper. The ball rebounded into the path of Morecambe skipper Stewart Drummond but he side-footed well over from the edge of the area.
The efforts began to fly in on the Telford goal with Drummond well off target from a 30-yard free-kick and Curtis trying his luck on a number of occasions from distance.
Twice he shot wide from 25 yards out before forcing MacKenzie into a neat save on 28 minutes.
Two minutes later, Garry Hunter had a golden opportunity to open the scoring from Carlton's lay-off but he shot weakly at goal and MacKenzie was able to make a comfortable save.
On 33 minutes, the ever-dangerous Carlton fired wide from 20 yards out when he perhaps could have laid the ball wide for the better placed Terry McFlynn before Curtis had another effort on goal which struck the side netting.
It took Telford 44 minutes before they produced a shot on target, which ended with Paul Moore's effort being easily gathered by Craig Mawson.
The second half saw Telford raise the tempo in the opening stages with Drummond producing a vital interception to prevent the ball from reaching the unmarked Chris Murphy and a minute later the same player volleyed inches wide from 12 yards out.
Justin Rowe let fly with an adventurous right-foot shot on the hour, but that was to be Telford's final threatening moment.
Morecambe came back into the game again and once Bentley struck they had a number of chances to add to their advantage.
MacKenzie did well to save from Thompson and Hunter as Morecambe looked for their second.
They didn't manage to add to their score but they had done enough to clinch another three points and keep the pressure on the leading teams.