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Duffy delivers hope for play-offs dream
Mark Duffy's first goal for Morecambe earned a vital three points to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.
The former Southport man chose the perfect time to open his account for his new side when he popped up in the box to latch on to Diarmuid O'Carroll's hopeful through ball to poke the ball past Kevin Pilkington for the only goal of the match in a 1-0 home defeat of Notts County.
It was a goal that gave the Shrimps their third successive victory and with three games to go keeps them in the hunt for the play-offs.
With three games to go, including a tough trip to Rotherham tomorrow, boss Sammy McIlroy said his side give themselves a chance of clinching a shock play-off finish.
The former Northern Ireland boss, who has now seen his side lose just one of their last 17 games, said: "This was a great win because it was a very tough game for us.
"The pitch made it hard to play our normal football and Notts County made it difficult for us as well.
"But once again we have plugged away right to the death and we have now picked up two scrappy 1-0 wins in a row.
"The lads have again done the club proud and nobody can have asked any more from them over the past few months."
McIlroy added: "We have kept quiet all along and moved up the table pretty much unnoticed. We don't get a lot of media attention because people still see us as a little club but we have given ourselves a bit of a chance.
"We know things are pretty much out of our hands but we will approach the last three games like we have the others recently and give it our all."
Morecambe started the game slowly with keeper Roche forced into an excellent block after just three minutes from John Thompson's close-range header.
The Shrimps only came to life midway through the half with Rene Howe, back in the side after his recent virus, firing straight at Pilkington after a good run into the box.
Then Howe flashed a shot inches wide of the right-hand post after 21 minutes.
County always looked dangerous on the break, though, and Myles Weston should have done better than spoon a shot way over the bar.
The first chance of the second half fell to Delroy Facey whose snap shot was parried away by Roche, and a few moments later Morecambe had a great chance at the other end of the pitch when Duffy found Michael Twiss with a superb through-ball to beat the offside trap, only for Twiss to shoot weakly at Pilkington.
Twiss was soon replaced by young substitute Aaron Taylor who was soon in the action, slipping a pass wide to Garry Hunter.
His superb chip-shot was tipped over by Pilkington before heading a Hunter corner narrowly wide.
The pressure finally paid off when O'Carroll flicked a ball over his head and Duffy nipped in stab the ball home. County rallied at the death with Roche getting down well to block a low shot from Matt Hamshaw.
Then he produced a stunning save to tip over a header from Richard Butcher before pushing a Jamie Clapham shot wide as the Magpies pushed for an elusive equaliser.
Jonathon Forte came within a whisker of surprising Roche from 25 yards out but his excellent volley landed on top of the netting but the Shrimps held on.
Morecambe: Roche 8, Yates 7, Bentley 7, Artell 7, Adams 8, Wainwright 6 (Duffy 45), Hunter 7, Drummond 7, Twiss 6 (Taylor 66), Howe 7, O'Carroll 7
(McLachlan 84). Subs (not used): Edge, McStay
Booked: Adams (39) handball; Twiss (39) foul
Notts County: Pilkington 7, Picken 7, Edwards 7, Clapham 7, Strachan 6 (Hamshaw 74), Hunt 7, Thompson 6, Butcher 6,
Weston 6, Forte 6, Facey 6. Subs (not used): Forrester, Fairclough, Tann, Nowland.
Booked: Thompson 89 (foul)
Referee: C Pawson
Attendance: 2,161
Star man: Danny Adams
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Friday 25 May 2012
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