Morecambe boss Bentley: We got out of jail against Oxford

The Shrimps hung on for a 1-0 win at the Globe Arena after Kevin Ellison’s first-half header as the visitors saw a late penalty appeal waved away when Barry Roche appeared to bring down Danny Hylton.

Hylton was then booked for diving by referee Tony Harrington as Bentley’s side rode their luck to stay top of the table.

The Shrimps boss said: “If I’m perfectly honest I don’t think we deserved to win the game today.

“Oxford were on that evidence a very good side.

“I’ve spoken about not having luck a few times and I think we played a trump card tonight because I think we got out of jail with a penalty and maybe a sending off.

“It looked like a stonewall penalty from where I was stood.”

Bentley’s side had to concede possession for long periods of the game but the Shrimps boss was pleased with his side’s shape.

He said: “We sacrificed possession a bit but had worked on our shape.

“People talk about being patient in possession but you’ve got to be patient without the ball too. If you haven’t had a kick of the ball for a few minutes and steam out of position then it can cost you.

“The lads stuck in and were hard to break down and that one time when we got a four against three situation, Kev being Kev, and in the form he is in at the minute, put it in the back of the net and won us the game.

“We didn’t deserve to win the game but you take it and you move on because I was sick and tired last year of playing well and getting beaten 1-0.

“These things swing round and I’m thankful we’ve picked up another three points and a clean sheet.

“It’s going well but I think we got out of jail tonight.”