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Panther on prowl for play-offs
Morecambe 1, Port Vale 0
Emmanuel Ugochukwu Ezenwa Panther has the longest name in football, but he thinks Morecambe can make short work of the play-offs.
Panther broke his toe in September tackling Sol Campbell – who was
making his only appearance for Notts County – and has only just returned to the Shrimps side.
The Glasgow-born midfielder, who signed a season-long loan deal from Exeter in August, said: "Sammy McIlroy helped me out when it went bad for me at Exeter.
"Now is great to be back after four months out.
"I knew all about Morecambe as I came up against them when I was with York in the Conference, and I scored here last season.
"They've some terrific players, and the lads say this is the strongest squad they've had since coming into the league.
"This win keeps us right in the mix, and we can make the play-offs and I want to help them there."
Phil Jevons scored the only goal of a close contest, and McIlroy hailed his leading marksman, who has netted 16 league goals this term.
The Shrimps boss said: "Once again Phil Jevons made the difference – he is having an unbelievable season and I don't see a better striker in this division.
"He is so dangerous, such an instinctive forward – he had one chance and he took it.
"Big Paul Mullin, who is his perfect foil, worked his socks off, it was a massive win.
"If Phil can stay in the groove – and grab us 20 goals – then we'll go very close to finishing in the top seven.
"The play-offs are there for us – we are only three points behind the pack."
Morecambe claimed the crucial goal in the 20th minute.
First, Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon blocked Garry Hunter's goal-bound shot, then centre-back John McCombe got in front of Jevons' effort, but Jevons volleyed the loose ball home from 12 yards.
Mullin was hacked down in the penalty box shortly after, but Morecambe's desperate appeals were waved away, and then the visitors clawed their way back into the game.
Morecambe lived a little dangerously as the Potteries side dominated the second half.
Former Blackburn Rovers kid Marc Richards thumped a header against a post, and then McCombe's overhead kick flew past Barry Roche, but his
spectacular effort was offside.
Roche tipped over smart shots from Lee Collins and Lewis Haldane as Morecambe held firm to record their third home win in a row.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
