Straight talking does the job for Bentley

Lee Molyneux netted Morecambes winner at Stevenage on Good Friday

The Shrimps welcome Colchester United to the Globe Arena, knowing a victory and anything but three points for second-bottom Newport County AFC would banish any lingering relegation fears.

Bentley’s players recorded their first victory in almost seven weeks on Good Friday with Lee Molyneux’s goal giving them victory at Stevenage.

Having beaten a top seven side in Boro, they now face a Colchester team only two points adrift of the play-offs with four games remaining.

“It was excellent and frustrating because we’re capable of doing it,” said Bentley after Friday’s victory.

“We looked over the DVD from last week because we were very good in the second half against Hartlepool but terrible in the first half.

“We nailed a few things down, told a few home truths, changed the team around and they were excellent.

“They played some very good stuff at times and defended well when they had to against a strong Stevenage side who have a little bit of everything.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game but we couldn’t have asked any more of our lads.”

Victory on Friday lifted Bentley’s players to 17th in League Two and was a timely one, given results elsewhere.

Having looked down and out, 16 points from 24 have seen Newport climb to within one point of safety.

While the Shrimps would seem to have done enough to avoid the drop, Bentley is taking nothing for granted after reaching a half-century of points.

Not least because, after today, Morecambe’s remaining games include trips to two sides in the play-off places, Exeter City and Luton Town, as well as a home game against one team with an outside chance of the top seven in Wycombe Wanderers.

“All we’re interested in is ourselves and doing our job,” Bentley said.

“We still want to get points on the board; it’s still not cut and dried.

“We have to back up a good win and a good point with another massive performance.

“I’ve fancied Newport to pick up points but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves, go again on Monday and, hopefully, take something from that game as well.”