Morecambe’s eye on the future during defeat to Boreham Wood

The Shrimps cannot finish any higher than third-bottom of the National League after suffering a 25th league defeat of the season on Saturday.

Abdul Abdulmalik had given Boreham Wood a half-time lead before injury-time goals from Joe Newton and Lewis Richardson secured the visitors’ victory.

Bentley, who made five changes to the starting line-up as well as giving minutes to academy players and fringe players, said: “When you find yourself in the circumstances we are in, and having two games to play, it does alter the way you look at a game.

“We are obviously disappointed to lose the game but there were some positives to take from the day, in that we could give some players game time – including a couple who have been out of the side for a while and some of our academy players.

“We made a number of changes. Some were forced and some were with an eye on next season, so it was a bit of an experiment in some aspects, but Boreham Wood are a very good side.

“Having said that, I think we gave them a little bit too much respect in the first half and we weren’t really at it.

“I was a bit disappointed in the first half with our passing and our desire at times, which was disappointing too.

“In the second half, we had a go, competed better and got into some good positions but didn’t get the goal which left us open at the end as were pushing for an equaliser.”