Rene Howe's second-half strike was enough to seal a win that Morecambe fully deserved for their work-rate from start to finish. Howe scored in the 67th minute when he ran on to Stewart Drummond's delightful flick through before poking the ball past Simon Brown.
The Shrimps could have doubled their advantage late on when teenage substitute Aaron Taylor twice ran through, firing one effort over on the turn and seeing another saved by the legs of Brown.
Morecambe dominated the second half but Darlington had the better of the first period with Franz Burgmeier forcing Henry McStay into a superb covering tackle on six minutes.
Michael Flynn then went close twice from distance and Ricky Ravenhill volleyed over before the Shrimps created their first opening on the half-hour when Drummond volleyed Craig Stanley's free-kick over at the far post.
The second half started with a new referee as Mr Singh called for a replacement during the break and the game had a new complexion as Morecambe dominated.
Brown was soon in action as he had to dive to his left after 51 minutes to tip Drummond's great 25-yard curler away after he had been set up by Carlton's neat lay-off.
As the Shrimps piled on the early pressure, Brown had to be alert again to deny Fraser McLachlan who slid in to get a touch on a cross from Yates who was having a good game on the right flank.
Morecambe got a reward for their pressure in the 67th minute when Carlton played the ball forward to Drummond who flicked a clever pass to put Howe free in the box and he finished calmly past the onrushing Brown to make it 1-0.
The home side couldn't add to the score but coped well enough at the other end to secure a valuable win.