Tinkerman Bentley confounds Red Devils

MORECAMBE boss Jim Bentley believes his changes paid dividends after their best away performance of the season beat a poor Crawley.

Bentley made five alterations from the midweek loss at Barnet and one of those, Rhys Turner, opened the scoring on two minutes, before Paul Mullin’s double meant it was game over by half-time.

And the manager was ecstatic with the players given a chance.

Bentley said: “We moved things around because of injuries and suspensions, but the players who came in produced.

“We gave some players a chance and they took it with both hands, which was brilliant.

“I always say it is as much about the players who have been on the sidelines as it is about those playing regularly.

“I have told them all to make sure they are ready when they get the call and they were.

“We had the best possible start and it was a great team performance.

“We scored three and could have had more and we were deserved winners.

“We had a slight blip when we lost against Barnet in midweek, but I’m really pleased with the form of 2017 so long may that continue.’’

Crawley head coach Dermot Drummy claims his side got exactly what they deserved after a disappointing display.

He said: “It was a dreadful performance all round, probably the worst performance I’ve been involved with since I’ve been here.

“We started badly and they made us pay. Our consistency is a concern and we have to address that.

“We have good players but we don’t always produce. We gifted them two goals and showed a lack of spirit.

“Morecambe were simply better than us and controlled the game.’’

The hosts took the lead in only the second minute when Michael Rose delivered a pinpoint cross and Turner ghosted in unmarked to head past Glenn Morris from six yards. Five minutes later, it was 2-0 – Antony Evans won the ball in midfield and played in Mullin, who cut inside before sliding the ball under Morris.

Shrimps keeper Barry Roche saved twice from James Collins and the visitors scored a third five minutes from the break when Rose’s corner wasn’t cleared and Mullin dinked the ball home from ten yards.

On 77 minutes, Andy Fleming bundled over Rhys Murphy in the box and Collins made no mistake from the spot, but it was no more than consolation for Crawley.