CLARKE: TAKEOVER TIMING NOT IDEAL
DARRELL Clarke insisted he knew nothing about Rovers being taken over by new owners until shortly before it became public knowledge.
And the manager claimed the timing of the announcement on Friday, that the club had been purchased by a Jordanian banking family, was far from ideal from his perspective despite seeing off Morecambe 24 hours later.
“Of course, it affected our preparation,” he said. “When you are getting ready for an important game and your staff start talking about whether their jobs are safe it isn’t ideal.
“I am excited about the future under the new owners. I have only had 30 minutes with them, but it was inspirational.
“However, we had a game to win and again my players have shown great character under very difficult circumstances.
“Our record for coming from behind to win since I have been manager is tremendous. That’s because we have a group of players, with the mental strength to handle tough situations.”
Jamie Devitt fired Morecambe ahead from the penalty spot on 11 minutes after Tom Parkes has been judged to have handled a header from a right wing corner.
But Rory Gaffney equalised on 68 minutes, volleying in from 12 yards after Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche had flapped at a Danny Leadbitter cross.
And substitute Billy Bodin headed the winner ten minutes later from Lee Brown’s leftwing centre.
Soon afterwards Morecambe midfielder Andy Fleming received a straight red card for a foul on Stuart Sinclair, pulling the Rovers midfielder back by his pony tail.
Visiting boss Jim Bentley said: “That was a moment of indiscipline and we seem to be paying for every mistake we make at the moment.
“I felt we were really comfortable after taking the lead and was sure we would come away with at least a point.
“But then Barry Roche, who has been great for us, makes an error and the equaliser lifted the home crowd.
“It was the same old story and it has me very frustrated because we are not playing badly.
“We are on a bad run and just need to break the cycle. That would give us a lift and help us get back on the right track.”
Rovers came closest to a first-half equaliser when Andy Parrish headed just wide of his own goal from a 43rd-minute corner.
It was grim viewing for the Al-Qadi family, who watched from the directors’ box as both sides battled unsuccessfully against the conditions. Passes went astray and home fans became restive, having given the new owners a rousing ovation before the start.
In the second period Rovers goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall had to make diving saves from Kevin Ellison and Paul Mullin as Morecambe looked to stretch their advantage.
But once Gaffney had equalised there only looked like being one winner as Rovers piled on the pressure.
With the fans now firmly behind them, Clarke’s men poured forward and Bodin’s winner came as no surprise.