Ellison’s strike has Bentley purring

JIM BENTLEY admitted Kevin Ellison’s last-gasp winner was one of his favourite moments in nearly 16 years as player and manager at Morecambe.

Ellison struck in the dying seconds as the Shrimps came from two goals down to seal a dramatic 4-3 triumph over fellow League Two strugglers Yeovil in a barnstorming Friday night encounter at the Globe Arena.

Strikes from Jake Gray and Otis Khan had the Glovers firmly in control with 18 minutes to go but Vadaine Oliver, a Callum Lang double and Ellison’s stoppage-time header shocked the visitors and handed the points to Morecambe, despite Omar Sowunmi bagging a third for the visitors.

Ellison’s effort sent the Shrimps faithful into raptures, a fitting reward for their unwavering roars of support throughout, according to Bentley.

“Second half, the crowd was great. They really got behind the players,” said Bentley.

“Ellison’s goal was one of those moments where time stood still. For that split-second, it looked like it was going to go over but it seemed to dip over the keeper. That’s one of my favourite goals in almost 16 years here.

“I’ve gone on the pitch in trainers on a muddy night and nearly done a cruciate! But to see the smiles on people’s faces was absolutely superb.”

Gray pounced on a defensive mix-up to slot home after 23 seconds before Khan curled a terrific second beyond Barry Roche on 17 minutes.

Oliver struck the post from distance for Morecambe and later miscontrolled an Aaron McGowan cross as the visitors clung to their lead.

However, the onslaught began on 72 minutes when Oliver headed home before Lang levelled proceedings seven minutes later with a close-range finish.

Sowunmi headed in unmarked on 84 minutes to make it 3-2 but Lang immediately drew the hosts level once more. And 38-year-old Ellison’s looping header in added time gave the home side an unlikely victory.

Glovers manager Darren Way admitted there was no excuse for his charges blowing the chance to net their third consecutive league win.

“We’ve had a very, very poor 45 minutes as far as defending is concerned,” he said.

“I don’t feel we attacked them enough. The supporters were shouting: ‘attack, attack, attack’ and I think I was shouting it at the same time but we just couldn’t carry any momentum.”