Morecambe 0-2 Walsall: Saddlers move 10 points clear at the top

The turning point came after the break when Morecambe defender Rhys Williams was dismissed for pulling down Jellis.

Allen inflicted a second deadly blow in quick succession on the Shrimps when he crashed the resulting free-kick in off the crossbar with a spectacular effort.

Walsall registered their first away win since beating Notts County on New Year's Day and extend their lead at the top to 10 points.

Jellis doubled Walsall's advantage three minutes from time with a fierce finish beyond the reach of Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne. 

Mat Sadler made two changes from the 3-1 win over Chesterfield at Bescot last Saturday. Oisin McEntee replaced Harry Williams in defence and Brandon Comley was handed his first league start of the season after Charlie Lakin missed out due to illness. 

Walsall had the better of the opening exchanges although the best chance fell to Morecambe when Andrew Dallas headed over at the back post from Luke Hendrie's cross.

The Saddlers were in control of the contest but struggled to translate their dominance into clear-cut chances. 

Ryan Stirk had an early half-volley inadvertently diverted behind by Jamille Matt and Allen and Jellis had efforts from distance sail comfortably over.

Jellis operated dangerously between the lines and made a lively start while Liam Gordon looked to make things happen with a series of rampaging runs down the left. 

Morecambe almost took the lead against the run of play just past the half-hour mark when Lee Angol escaped the offside trap to latch on to Marcus Dackers' flicked header. 

Walsall defender Oisin McEntee got across to narrow the angle and Angol sent his finish whistling narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts began to grow into the contest towards the end of the half with Dackers drawing a comfortable save from Tommy Simkin with an effort from distance before Paul Lewis' header called the Walsall goalkeeper into action again.

Morecambe were reduced to 10-men five minutes after the break when Rhys Williams was shown a straight red card after pulling down Jellis as he threatened to break in behind. 

Allen took the resulting free-kick and crashed a stunning pinpoint effort in off the post to provide Walsall with the breakthrough.

The Shrimps refused to buckle despite their numerical disadvantage and had a presentable chance to equalise when substitute Ged Garner headed on to the roof of the net after meeting Adam Lewis' flashing cross. 

Walsall also had chances to extend their advantage with Liam Gordon producing a beautiful turn on the edge of the box before stinging the palms of Burgoyne. 

Albert Adomah scooped a delightful cross for fellow substitute Levi Amantchi to plant his header agonisingly wide of Burgoyne's left-hand post as Walsall kept knocking on the door for a second. 

The second eventually arrived when Adomah worked the ball inside from the left to find Jellis. He created space for a shot and scooped a powerful effort beyond the reach of Burgoyne to extend his tally to seven in all competitions.

Teams 

Morecambe (4-3-1-2): Burgoyne; Hendrie (Cooke 68), Williams, Taylor, Tutonda (A Lewis 68); Songo'o, P Lewis (Edwards 86), Macadam; Dallas (Stott 52); Angol (Garner 68), Dackers.

Unused: White, Tollitt.

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; McEntee, Okagbue, Allen; Comley; Barrett (Asiimwe 90 +4), Jellis, Stirk, L Gordon (Weir 90 +4); Harrison (Amantchi 71), Matt (Adomah 71).

Unused: Hornby, Williams, Johnson.

Referee: Benjamin Speedie 

Attendance: 3,457