Morecambe top scorer says their success has been a team game

The 22-year-old took his tally to 15 for the season with a goal in each half as the Shrimps won 4-3 at the Mazuma Stadium.

He also set up a goal for Aaron Wildig as Derek Adams’ players closed to within one point of the automatic promotion places in League Two.

His performances this season in helping Morecambe’s promotion bid have seen an increased number of scouts in attendance, as well as speculation linking him with clubs including Rangers.

However, he was quick to compliment the rest of the Shrimps’ squad for their efforts ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Grimsby Town (7pm).

“It’s nice to play with such confidence and freedom on the pitch,” Mendes Gomes said.

“It makes everything easier, especially when you know everyone around you supports you and wants you to do well.”

Having flicked a half-chance wide inside the first 90 seconds against Oldham, Mendes Gomes broke the deadlock moments later.

Kelvin Mellor’s ball down the right-hand channel had bypassed Cole Stockton and seemed to be on its way out of play.

The Oldham defence reckoned without Mendes Gomes, however, as he had drifted in from the left flank and was first to the ball before firing home inside the far post.

“I make sure I follow everything in because you never know,” he explained.

“The ball dropped to me and I tried to just fire it across the keeper.”

Conor McAleny had cancelled out that goal before Wildig and Cole Stockton gave the Shrimps a 3-1 lead at half-time.

Mendes Gomes then extended that advantage eight minutes into the second period, slotting home after some wonderful approach play from Toumani Diagouraga.

If anything, the only disappointment was that he was unable to complete a hat-trick.

“One hundred per cent,” he admitted.

“When you get two goals and there’s 30 minutes left, you look to get the third one.

“Johnno (John O’Sullivan) played a lovely ball but I couldn’t get on the end of it.

“It’s one of those games, it doesn’t matter who scores as long as we win.”

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