FA Cup exit at Dover the lowest point in Bentley's managerial career
MORECAMBE boss Jim Bentley said his side’s first round FA Cup exit at Dover was the “lowest point in his managerial career.’’
The Shrimps crashed to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the Crabble on Saturday and Bentley says he fully realises the frustrations of the fans.
He said: “It’s the lowest I’ve been as a manager.
“I’m absolutely devastated and our fans had every right to have a go at us as we went off the pitch.
“I’ve not had that as a manager but I take it on the chin. Our fans were superb. I didn’t expect as many to travel as did and we let them down.
“They were dreaming of the third round and who we could have possibly got.”
He continued: “We’re not having a great time at the minute and we hadn’t won in three before the game but in the FA Cup a couple of sticky performances goes out of the window.
“It wasn’t a great pitch to play football on, the wind was up, it was a typical cup tie with the home supporters right behind their team and it was a battle.
“I thought we battled quite well but we didn’t choose the right ball in the final third enough and when we did get in the ‘keeper made a couple of good saves or we just didn’t have the rub of the green in the box.’’
Bentley was particularly unhappy with the goal his side conceded in first half injury time.
“When it comes up to half-time as a defence you’ve got to make sure you’re strong and see it through to the interval but I was disappointed with our defending for the winning goal.
“We got turned too easily and the lad’s put it in the back of the net.
“It was a frustrating day for everyone but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves and we have to bounce back against Bury on Saturday.’’