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Centre- half David Artell was on hand with five minutes to go to tap the ball into an empty net after Preston North End goalkeeper Wayne Henderson has inexplicably dropped a free-kick.

The game had looked to be heading for extra-time after Danny Pugh equalised during sustained second half pressure from the home side.

But Morecambe prevailed to secure the greatest giantkilling act in their history, beating a side who in April were pushing for the Premiership.

The game had started fantastically for Morecambe when they took the lead after six minutes.

Referee Alan Wiley blew for a foul on Garry Thompson and, after Craig Stanley floated the ball to the far post, skipper Jim Bentley fired an unstoppable volley into the bottom right-hand corner.

Henderson really had no chance, Bentley caught the ball so sweetly for a goal that gave the Shrimps the ideal start.

That was enough for Morecambe to keep a disappointing North End side at bay for the first period.

Sammy McIlroy set his side up with an effective 4-5-1 formation with Fraser McLachlan employed in midfield alongside Neil Sorvel and Craig Stanley and Garry Thompson the lone man up front.

The system worked a treat in the first period as Morecambe keeper Joe Lewis was only really threatened by a Neil Mellor shot and a wicked Kevin Nicholls corner.

The only disappointment for McIlroy in the first period was an injury to McLachlan, later confirmed as a broken leg, with Jamie Burns coming on for him with two minutes to go before half-time.

After the break, Preston came on strong, no doubt fired up by some harsh words from boss Paul Simpson.

They piled on the pressure but Artell and Bentley did their jobs, marshalling their defence with Lewis also playing well in goal.

But the Morecambe keeper had no chance with Pugh's goal, substitute Karl Hawley standing the ball up to the back post for Pugh to head down into the corner.

It looked like the Championship side, who were virtually at full strengh, would go on and win the game, possibly in extra-time.

Lewis had to dive full length to stop a drive from Kevin Nicholls while at the other end, only a Burns drive came near the Preston goal.

That was until the 85th minute when Artell - who had an earlier goal disallowed for pushing - went forward for a free-kick.

There seemed little possibility of a goal as the ball drifted towards Henderson, but, with Artell lurking, the Republic of Ireland international dropped the ball and Artell reacted first to slide the ball home from 12 yards.

The 1,800 Morecambe fans went wild and they were even louder five minutes later when Wiley's whistle confirmed an historic result.

Morecambe: Lewis, Yates, Adams, Bentley, Artell, Stanley, McLachlan (Burns), Sorvel, Baker, Twiss (Curtis), Thompson (Hunter). Unused subs: Drench, Howard.

Preston North End: Henderson, Hill, Pugh, Mawene, St Ledger, Jones, Carter (Hawley), Nicholls, Mellor (Sedgwick), Ormerod, Whaley (Carroll). Unused subs: Lonergan, Neal.

Att: 7,703.
Referee: A Wiley.