Morecambe boss Derek Adams has not yet given up in the battle for survival despite a 1-0 defeat to Bromley leaving his side on the brink of relegation.
Michael Cheek’s penalty three minutes after the interval fired the home side in front, with David Tutonda’s 68th-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence ending any hopes the Shrimps had of a comeback.
Defeat leaves Morecambe eight points from safety with just three matches remaining, and Adams is aware there can only be one outcome in their next match if they are they are to remain in the Football League.
He said: “Obviously the defeat leaves us in a very difficult situation but we go into Monday’s game against Salford knowing that three points is a must.
“It isn’t a choice any more, we simply have to win. It will be a tough game but all the games are tough at this level.
“We huffed and puffed against Bromley and I can’t fault the application or desire of my players to carry out my plans and get the result. But it’s true to say we lacked the quality in key moments and the final third when it mattered most.
“We still believe we can and will stay up, and the supporters have stuck with us all season and I know they will continue to do so.”
Cheek’s penalty moved the striker on to 22 goals for the season with the League Two golden boot within his reach.
And Ravens manager Andy Woodman in particular welcomed the clean sheet after the 5-0 thrashing by leaders Port Vale in their last outing, as he looks for a positive end to the campaign.
“We needed to bounce back from last week against Port Vale,” he said.
“The bounce-back wasn’t about the win but more so keeping a clean sheet and being solid. We were wide open last week and I didn’t want that today.
“I thought we did the fundamentals well today and although that’s the boring things, you do the boring things well and you will win football matches.
“It was only 1-0 but it could have been four or five, but ultimately a win and a clean sheet matters to me more. I do look at the league table and see us seven points from the play-offs and wonder what might have been, but it’s been a good season and we just need to finish it well.”
