Morecambe Boss Sammy McIlroy On The Game

Sammy McIlroy

Shrimps manager Sammy McIlroy spoke to Dave Salmon from The Bay Radio after his side's 2-2 FA Cup tie at Brunton Park, McIlroy pleased with the spirit his players showed at 2-0 down :


" I thought we were unfortunate to be 2-0 down, I thought in the first-half we had the better chances than Carlisle and I thought we went in behind a little bit unjustly. But we responded, even after the second goal went in our heads didn't drop, we kept going and going and got two fantastic goals. We are still in the hat, we have still got a job on, Carlisle are a decent side but I am more delighted with my boys performance today.

" We grew in confidence when we got a goal back and everyone was wanting the ball and everyone wanted to play. It was fantastic spirit and I thought deservedly we got that second goal. We had moments, their goalkeeper (Lenny Pidgeley) made a couple of good saves and we missed a few good chances. When we needed blocks at the end and Carlisle were putting on pressure when we went down to ten men we put our lives on the line, so I am delighted for the boys.

" It was a retaliation for Stewart Drummond's sending off and unfortunately the referee (Andy Haines) missed the kick on Drummy, Drummy retaliated, the referee has seen that and he had to go. Now he misses three games which is unfortunate for us because he has done very well over the last few weeks. So we will just have to get on with that but I am little bit disappointed that the referee didn't see the boy's (Adam Clayton's) kick on Drummond first.

" The pitch was perfect, conditions were a little bit tricky for goalkeepers and defenders but the pitch was perfect and it was a good end-to-end game. I am absolutely delighted how my boys put themselves about today for 90 minutes, not just 45 or 60 which we have been doing of late. We played 90 minutes today and got a good result.

" We need to keep the momentum going from the last two games, we need to show that Morecambe can only do well when we play at that tempo, everyone is working, everyone is fighting for each other. When we do that we look a decent side, we have just got to keep doing that. "