Bentley confident Morecambe will bounce back

The Shrimps lost 1-0 twice in the past seven days, at Mansfield and Wimbledon, but still sit fifth in the table ahead of Northampton’s visit to the Globe Arena on Saturday.

And with the Cobblers having lost 5-4 at home to Accrington in John Coleman’s first game back with Stanley on Saturday Bentley knows anything can happen in a topsy-turvy division.

He said: “We’re doing well at home but it’s unpredictable. 
“Northampton are one of the bigger clubs and invested and then they go and get beaten by Accrington. 
“You look at Wimbledon, they hadn’t won three or four and then they go and beat the league leaders Burton 3-0 before beating us. 
“It is very up and down, very unpredictable and we’ve got to make sure we have a good week and keep believing in ourselves, keep working hard and I’m sure we’ll get back to where we want to be.

“It’ll be a difficult task but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Having come narrowly above Bentley’s famous “fine dividing line” in recent weeks both Saturday at the Dons and last Tuesday at Mansfield saw them fall below it.

The Shrimps boss said: “We’ve won games this season where we’ve just come above that fine dividing line and it’s other way now.

“Wimbledon got the all important goal on Saturday but we played some good stuff and had chances so I’m disappointed to lose the game but there’s plenty of positives there again.”

Bentley believes there was a hint of a foul in Adebayo Akinfenwa’s winner for the Dons as the giant front man once again scored the decisive goal against the Shrimps.

He said: “I think there was.

“Paz was picking him up and the first ball came in from a set play and he seemed to be pushed over and by the time he got up Akinfenwa’s got up and got round the back stick and nodded it in.

“But I don’t know I’ll have to have a look at it again. He is a handful, I know that myself.

“They’ve invested in him, he scored double figures in League 1 last year and you get what you pay for.

“He might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve had a few battles with him myself and he’s a difficult player to play against and one of the best strikers at this level.

“But I thought we defended well at times, we’ve just got to make sure we get back to winning ways as soon as possible.”