McIlroy plans to home in on win

MORECAMBE manager Sammy McIlroy has said the club's home form could hold the key to whether his team reaches the League Two play-offs in May.

The Shrimps have won nine and drawn five of their 17 league games at Christie Park, winning the last three against Darlington, Burton and Port Vale.

And with struggling Grimsby Town next up in the final campaign at Christie Park before the move to a new stadium next season, the former Northern Ireland and Manchester United star is targeting more home success.

McIlroy said: "We've done very well at home.

"We've got some difficult games, especially away from home, so our home form might just get us there."

McIlroy recently set Morecambe a 75-point target to reach the play-offs.

But they suffered a setback last weekend with a narrow 1-0 defeat at promotion chasing Bournemouth.

It leaves them seven points adrift of the final play-off position.

McIlroy went on: "We got 63 points last season, and missed the play-offs by half-a-dozen points, but I think 74 or 75 might get us in this time.

"It is very tight, with half the league in with a shout of finishing in the top seven.

"We just need to find that vein of consistency, that's the key.

"But we've nothing to fear if we produce our best form.

"We'll have to put together a big run, like we did before Christmas when we won seven in a row. We can go close."

McIlroy has been forced to rotate his squad in recent weeks with a number of players missing through injury.

But has added to his ranks this week with the arrival of Colchester winger Simon Hackney on loan and he could make his debut tomorrow.

And assistant boss Mark Lillis – father of ex-Town loan stopper Josh – says Hackney will boost the play-off bid they still have hopes of.

Lillis told the Morecambe Visitor: "We know Simon well. When Sammy and I were at Stockport we were interested in signing him from Woodley Sports but he went to Carlisle and he did really well for them.

"He has pace, is very direct and very tricky and will be a real boost to the squad. He gives us something a bit extra and will hopefully provide the crosses for the likes of Phil Jevons and Paul Mullin to get on the end of.

"We have him for a month and I am sure he will do well.

"We have got 36 points to play for and we have told the lads to focus on that from now until the end of the season.

"Our home form has been good but we need to make sure we keep on picking points away from home as well."