Elam, who recently returned to the club for a second spell, was the star of the show as Morecambe maintained their recent upturn in fortunes.
In truth they should have won this game comfortably but after wasting a string of glorious opportunities they made their supporters sweat a little.
After Nick Rogan and Michael Twiss had come close, the Shrimps took the lead on 18 minutes with Wayne Curtis bagging his sixth league goal of the season.
From there Morecambe enjoyed a long period on top. With Twiss and Elam pulling the strings the Shrimps forged a number of openings.
Northwich keeper Ben Connett saved well from Curtis and Twiss and did well to spot the danger and race from his goal to deny Nick Rogan.
The ever dangerous Twiss volleyed a right-wing cross from Elam inches wide of the left-hand post and Curtis could only divert another Elam cross wide at the far post.
The second half began much as the first had finished with Morecambe surging forward again.
Curtis played in Rogan but the youngster rifled his shot well over the top.
Curtis then saw another header miss the target from another excellent Kieron Walmsley free-kick before unmarked defender Michael Howard wasted a glorious opening with a volley from 12 yards out that flew well wide.
Northwich began to take heart from Morecambe's poor finishing and began to create a few problems themselves.
Mark Quayle, Paul Brayson and Richard Norris all went close before Steve Burr's team clawed their way back into the game after a neat counter attack.
Danny Mayman, signed recently from Burr's old club Hucknall, delivered a great cross from the right and Quayle was on hand to head past Adam Sollitt from close range.
The goal saw a wounded Morecambe raise their game. Twiss was denied on two occasions by the excellent Connett - the second time with a world-class save low to his right to claw away a close-range volley.
But Twiss was not to be denied for long, however, and he produced the quality finish Morecambe needed to retake the lead 12 minutes from time.
Substitute Garry Hunter played him in with a deft through ball and Twiss stroked a left-foot shot past the stranded Vics keeper.
There was still time for Morecambe to add to their list of wasted chances as star man Elam fired into the side netting when he looked sure to score and Curtis sent a shot soaring into the sky with only Connett to beat.