Morecambe boss Bentley: Accrington is like any other game

Andy Fleming in action during the game at the Crown Ground earlier in the season.

No Shrimps fan needs reminding that the visitors to the Globe Arena are yet to lose in 15 games between the sides in League 2.

But Bentley was trying to play down the clash with increased passion in the past backfiring on the Shrimps.

He said: “I don’t want the lads to think that everything hinges on this one game.

“In the past when I’ve got myself too up tight and too pumped up it hasn’t worked.

“It’s getting a balance and treating the game like it’s any other League 2 game.

“It has got the added spice but Accrington are a good, tough side.

“John (Coleman) and Jimmy (Bell) have gone back in there and done a good job.

“They’ve got good players but it’s one we’re looking forward too and we’re in better form than they are at the moment.”

As well as the infamous Stanley ‘hoodoo’ the Shrimps have lost their last four home games.

Bentley wants the fans to try and forget recent disappointments as his side bid to give them something to shout about at the start of a busy Easter weekend.

He said: “I’d like the fans to put everything to bed with regards to the home form and really get behind the team.

“Sometimes the players feed off the crowd and likewise the crowd feed off the team.

“We’ve got to make sure that we start the game well, the fans start the game well and between us we all unite to give it our best shot.”

Having reached 50 points in the 1-1 draw at Exeter last time out Bentley now has his eyes on 60 with seven games to go.

He said: “We’ve got to 50 points.

“It’s come four games too late, we wanted to give ourselves 11 games from 50 points to try and mount a challenge like we did in the year we finished fourth.

“It was very similar with regards to results, positions and points on the board.

“Unfortunately we haven’t done that but now the next target is to get to 60 so that’s what we’ll aim for.”