After three weeks without a league game because of the big freeze, Shrimps took the points with a late goal from winger Mark Duffy, who stung the Bees with a neat finish after some excellent work by Phil Jevons.

Said Lillis: "It was a fantastic victory and I thought the lads showed outstanding character after being without a game for such a long time.

"We started superbly with a goal after just four minutes but I think we then thought it was going to be easy.

"But Barnet have a lot of pace in their side and came back into the game with a penalty and we told the lads at half-time that they would have to get back on the front foot in the second half.

"They responded superbly and created a lot of chances," he added.

"We hit the post three times and scored a great goal through Mark Duffy who is improving all the time and it was great to get the new year off to such a great start after a frustrating few weeks for everyone.

"It keeps the pressure on the sides around the play-off zone and that is where we want to be."

Goalscorer Duffy was the provider of Morecambe first goal after just four minutes with the perfect cross for Stewart Drummond to head home from close range.

Barnet, who had gone 10 games without a league win, hit back with Matt Lockwood forcing Morecambe keeper Barry Roche into a neat save and Paul Furlong heading over from the rebound.

Full report in Monday's Lancashire Evening Post