SCARBOROUGH eased their relegation fears as their best performance of the season stunned Nationwide Conference play-off hopefuls Morecambe at Christie Park last night.

Morecambe had been beaten just once at home this season, but had no answer to a rampant Boro side which romped to a 3-0 win - their biggest away success of the campaign.

Recent signing David McNiven underlined his value to the Seasiders' cause as he struck his third goal in as many games since arriving at the McCain Stadium.

He ran onto an astute 19th-minute pass from David Pounder and rifled a first-time shot past Steven Drench.

Midfielder Chris Hughes then scored his second of the season eight minutes later to confirm Boro's early superiority

Morecambe did pile on the pressure early in the second half and Leigh Walker was forced to save from Chris Blackburn and Michael Twiss. But it was the visitors who went closest to a third when McNiven crashed a shot against the bar.

Boro clinched victory three minutes from time when Lee Fowler claimed his third goal for the club with a 30-yard free-kick.

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, January 25, 2006