After seeing his side begin the Christmas holiday programme in superb fashion, McIlroy said: "It was a fantastic performance, especially after we came from behind.We started poorly but we showed great resolve to get back into the game.

"We have improved all over the park and things are beginning to gel and although we still have a lot of improving to do, we are working very hard as a team and making good progress."

Things did not look so good for the Shrimps early on, however, as Macclesfield dominated the early stages of the game, took the lead and could have grabbed a second in the first 10 minutes.

Izak Reid gave the Silkmen the lead after just two minutes when he converted Martin Gritton's neat lay-off and the same player should have made it 2-0 five minutes later when Barry Roche didn't claim a cross and the Macc midfielder failed to find the target from six yards with his volley.

Striker Gareth Evans then went close twice before the Shrimps went on to dominate the rest of the game with some fine football.

They pulled level with yet another telling set-piece on 17 minutes as Henry McStay sneaked in at the far post to score with a close-range volley after Craig Stanley's free-kick was flicked on to the far post.

On-loan striker Danny Carlton then made it 2-1 from another Stanley set-piece as a left-wing corner was flicked on by Rene Howe to give his strike partner a free header six yards out.

The Shrimps then went on to control the second half.

Macclesfield keeper John Brain was forced into three early second-half saves as he blocked two Jim Bentley efforts and a Carlton header before the Shrimps secured the three points with Stewart Drummond nipping in between Brain and Paul Morgan to head home a Neil Wainwright cross.

Morecambe saved the best to last with top scorer Rene Howe ending the scoring with a delightful goal 11 minutes from time. Taking the ball on the left- hand side of the area, he curled a wonderful effort into the top corner.

Morecambe: Roche 7; Yates 7, Bentley 7, McStay 7, Adams 7, Wainwright 8 (Twiss 81); Stanley 9, Drummond 7 (Carr 84), McLachlan 7; Howe 8, Carlton 7 (Taylor 83). Subs not used: Edge, Artell. Booked: Drummond, Carlton.

Macclesfield: Brain; Flynn, Morgan, Brisley (Yeo 57), Deen (Jennings 82); Reid, Bell, Brown, Thomas; Gritton, Evans. Subs not used: Hessey, Walker, Tolley. Booked: Evans, Brisley, Flynn.

Referee: M Jones.
Attendance: 2,578.

Star man: Craig Stanley - some excellent set pieces in a fine display.