Sturrock: 'To let it slip now would not be right'
Blues boss Paul Sturrock just had to accept defeat against the Shrimps Saturday, his side being particularly poor in the first half, and defending from set pieces!
Sturrock told BBC Radio: "I think disappointed is the word I would use. Take nothing away from Morecambe today, they were excellent. They showed a zest and vitality, and they are going to cause a lot of teams problems."
So with two vital games in the next seven days to come, Gillingham at Roots Hall Tuesday and Tilly's Lincoln City next weekend away, what's the answer?
Sturrock continued to the Press Association: "The lads looked leg weary. We struggled to get going and the first-half performance was simply not good enough. They have done really well recently but we weren't totally at it and some players looked tired. I think some fresh faces will add a bit of life and zest to us and I think the club will benefit from it. We deserve to be up there and to let it slip now would not be right."
Morecambe 2-1 Southend: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.
McIlroy: 'It's too early to say we have turned the corner'
Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy believed his side fully deserved the victory which completed a league double over the Shrimpers.
McIlroy told the PA: "I am really proud of the performance the lads put in. The football was excellent and how we weren't more than 1-0 up at half-time I don't know. To give yet another penalty away so early in the second half was disappointing and the lads could have lost heart. But they showed great character and confidence to get back into the lead and then worked their socks off to make sure we held on to it."
Can't argue with that, and Sammy Mac continued to praise his team that after nine winless matches have picked up a brace of victories against top eight sides, the 2-1 win last Saturday being against the league leaders Chesterfield, that has seen the Shrimps rise nine points away from the relegation zone.
McIlroy continued: "Their work-rate and commitment were first class and two wins in a row has given the place a real lift. I've said all along that there is too much quality in this squad to be struggling at the wrong end of the table but things haven't gone for us. It's too early to say we have turned the corner and we now have to build on these performances to the end of the season."
The local match report:
www.morecambefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10866~53111,00.html