Morecambe ground out a hard-earned home victory to leapfrog 10-man Hereford.

Lee Elam gave Morecambe a deserved 30th minute lead, coolly slotted the ball past Matt Baker after a fine cross from Gary Thompson.

Morecambe doubled their lead three minutes later when Andrew Tretton headed the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Lively Adriano Rigoglioso almost added a third before the break.

Shellshocked Hereford defenders stood and watched as Rigoglioso found space in the penalty but shot straight at Baker.

Hereford's plight worsened in first-half stoppage time when Daniel Williams was sent off for violent conduct.

Jamie Pitman squandered a good chance for the visitors after the break, weakly shooting wide from a good position in the area.

Hereford dragged themselves back into the game when John Grant made inroads down the left and crossed for Steve Guinan, who made no mistake from close range.

Any hopes of a remarkable comeback were extinguished six minutes from time when Wayne Curtis popped up to rifle in the killer third Morecambe goal.

Morecambe: Mawson, McKearney, Perkins, Bentley, Murphy, Rigoglioso, Drummond, Stringfellow, Elam, Curtis, Thompson. Subs: Swan, Morgan, Carlton, Black, Rogan.

Hereford: Baker, Lovett, Tretton, James, Rose, Pitman, Smith, Williams, Parry, Grant, Guinan. Subs: Wright, Griffiths, Teesdale, Sawyers, Husbands.

Referee: N Miller (Durham).