The Shrimps boss was 'frustrated' not to have beaten Grimsby but took heart that his side's run without defeat was extended to four games.

Now he has urged his players to create more opportunities for his strikeforce of Rene Howe and Diarmuid O'Carroll.

He said: "There are no easy games and we know it is going to be difficult again at Lincoln.

"We wanted to get off to a better start to this season than we have but we are unbeaten in the last four.

"We want to try and win our home games and I really wanted three points on Saturday because it would have kicked us on.

"We have got people I think that can score goals but we need to have that little bit more creativity throughout the side.

"We are not really creating a lot of chances. We got in great areas but didn't really produce, it's not just out wide, we should do better in other areas too."

McIlroy gave Michael Twiss his first start on the left wing and he and fellow winger Dan Smith will play for the Reserves today, Wednesday.
Wayne Curtis was the one to miss out but he came off the bench with Craig Stanley to combine for the equalising goal.

McIlroy said: "It was a tough choice to make on Saturday and unfortunately Wayne missed out but he and Craig Stanley came on and turned the game.

"It's a squad game and I said that to the players afterwards.
"We didn't start the game how we wanted to. We had chances to clear the ball before the penalty and got punished.

"The second half was a lot better. We got the ball down and played and it was frustrating that we didn't do that in the first half.

"We showed what we could do in the second half. We got a decent goal and had the chance to win it, although so did they on the breakaway."

Jim Bentley didn't train on Monday with a back injury but he should be fine for Saturday.