Bentley: We’ve done okay against the top sides so far

Second in League 2 Luton are the visitors to the Globe Arena on Saturday with the Shrimps boss keen to recreate the performances that produced victories over the likes of Burton, Southend, Plymouth and Bury.

It has all the makings of a big game with the Hatters set to travel in large numbers for a game that is for the first ever Eric Morecambe Trophy and represents Morecambe’s first home game in a month.

The trophy has been created to coincide with the statue of the famous comedian returning to its rightful spot on the resort’s promenade this Thursday, December 11.

Bentley said: “We’ve beaten fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and 10th in the league and lost against first and ninth.

“We got second and third coming up too but we’ve got a decent record against the top sides.

“Luton are a massive club and they’ll travel in good numbers.

“It’s the last game before Christmas and hopefully our fans will come out in good numbers too because they haven’t had much football with us being away for the last month.

“It’s got the makings of a good atmosphere and a big game with the two-week break and them being one of the top sides.

“It’s a big fixture for us and hopefully we can get a similar feel and a similar performance as we did last time we were at home against Bury.”

The Shrimps’ players have had anything but a week off with Bentley taking the chance to sharpen up his side’s fitness ahead of what is traditionally a busy period.

He said: “It’s been tough.

“There were a couple of double days with the lads in Monday to Friday and having the weekend off.

“It’s given us a chance to top their fitness levels up and give the injured lads the recovery time they need.

“If we had had a game on Saturday then I think there might have been one or two lads still struggling.

“I’d much rather have been involved in the FA Cup but Ellison and Goodall will be back (from suspension) so the break has helped us.”

It may seem like a long time ago but the Shrimps boss is hoping to take the momentum of Padraig Amond’s late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Stevenage into the game.

Bentley said: “It was a game we should have won.

“We had chances and they had just the one shot on target which was the penalty.

“Thankfully we got the goal late in the game and it gives us a bit of momentum.”