Morecambe boss wants to back up away wins at home

The Shrimps play host to fellow strugglers Braintree Town, looking to seal a third successive win after taking 10 points from their last five matches.

Victories at Wealdstone and Sutton United in the last week have given the Shrimps’ survival hopes a major boost.

They have now climbed to fourth-bottom, ahead of Braintree on goal difference, leaving them three points behind Brackley Town who have two games in hand.

The first of those comes tonight, when they visit Eastleigh who sit three points above them in 19th.

Also playing this evening are second-bottom Gateshead, who could climb above Morecambe and Braintree with a win at Southend United.

In Morecambe’s case, a win against Braintree on Saturday could take them three points clear of one of their closest rivals, as well as further boost their goal difference over the visitors.

Bentley said: “We are looking forward to being at home and hoping we can get a big crowd and the community right behind us to cheer us on to another win.

“We have got some belief from the two wins this week and we want that positivity to continue.

“We had a fantastic following away from home last week and we couldn’t have asked for any more from the fans, who were fantastic throughout, and that is why we all went over and showed our appreciation after the Sutton game.

“In terms of performances, we are still taking it game by game.

“The lads have shown they have a great spirit but they now look like a team of men, which is what the level needs.

“We are looking strong and experienced with a little bit of pace, youth and enthusiasm – and we know we have moments of brilliance and can hurt teams on the counter-attack.

“I still think we can be better when we have possession, but I think teams will be wary of us and we have to look to build on all the positives of the past week with the fans right behind us.”