Morecambe boss Bentley pleased as players bounce back at Oxford

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley was pleased to see his side “rise to the challenge” as they battled for a point at Oxford on Saturday.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley. Picture: Matt RushtonMorecambe boss Jim Bentley. Picture: Matt Rushton
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley. Picture: Matt Rushton

The Shrimps bounced back from a 4-2 defeat to Northampton last time out to draw 0-0 at the Kassam Stadium after Barry Roche saved Kemar Roofe’s second-half penalty.

Bentley said: “I gave the group who played well for half an hour last week the opportunity to bounce back.

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“We knew that we’d have to defend well today. They’re a good side, play good football and it’s a big club at this level in decent form.

“When called upon we knew Barry Roche was going to have to play well and he did with the penalty save being the key moment in the game.

“Credit where credit’s due, the players rose to the challenge, they were gutted by what happened last week.

“They’ve responded in the right manner in training and today.

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“We had to get it right defensively and for it not to take away something from our game going the other way.

“But I think there’s 92 managers up and down the country that are trying to get that formula right.

“It’s a good, hard-earned, hard-working, professional, away performance against a top side.

“It’s something to build on.”

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