MORECAMBE caretaker boss Barry Roche said he was “proud’’ of the players after they ended an emotional week with their first home win of the season.
A 76th minute goal from substitute A-Jay Leitch-Smith was enough to give the Shrimps, who have this week been managed by Roche and Kevin Ellison, the points in the club's first match since the departure of Jim Bentley.
Roche said: “It’s been a tough week for everyone with the gaffer leaving but the lads have been fantastic and we are really proud of them.
“They have trained superbly all week and given us everything and we are over the moon for the lads and everyone involved with the club.
“The goal that won it was special and to get our first home win of the season the way we did was brilliant.’
“It’s been a difficult start to the season, especially at home, so to get that first home win in the manner that we did with such a positive performance was really pleasing.
“In the position we’re in, there’s no way we could afford to sulk, to be down on ourselves, so that’s what we said to the lads first thing Monday morning.
“We said ‘We have a massive game, we’ve got to be positive, we’ve got to be together’ and I think you could see that on the pitch.
“The fans were superb all the way through. The noise was fantastic, the singing behind the goal was relentless all game and that’s the kind of atmosphere we need to create at the Globe Arena.
“We are well aware, at home this season, we have not always given them something to shout about but I think today we did and they responded brilliantly.”