evening post report
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:35 pmMorecambe boss Sammy McIlroy hailed keeper Barry Roche as the best in League Two after he produced a man-of-the-match show to help extend his side's unbeaten run to 10 games in a 0-0 home draw.
Roche made a series of superb blocks to deny promotion-chasing Bury victory and further enhance his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Championship.
McIlroy said: "Barry Roche is the best goalkeeper in this division and that is why I was so keen to bring him here.
"He made some great saves in this game, as he has done all season, and he just seems to be getting better and better.
"I like to keep him grounded and tell him that that's what he's there for, but there's no denying how well he has performed for us."
McIlroy was also quick to praise Roche's team-mates for their sterling efforts to keep out an excellent Bury side and record their third clean sheet in four games.
The visitors, who began the game in third place, started the sharper and Roche was forced to make his first save on six minutes when he dived at the feet of Elliot Bennett.
Morecambe hit back with a Michael Twiss shot from the edge of the box, and Neil Wainwright shooting straight at Bury keeper Wayne Brown.
In the second half Bury created, and wasted, a string of chances.
The best came when Michael Jones swung in a perfect cross for the unmarked Andy Bishop at the far post, but the prolific striker saw a close-range header superbly tipped away by Roche.
The Morecambe keeper again denied Bury, getting down well to block a shot after Bishop had pounced on a mistake by Henry McStay, before Jones hit the side-netting.
Morecambe defender Dave Artell had to make a superb clearing header, and as the pressure continued Roche made another point-blank save.
Bishop saw an effort ruled out for offside, and Bury were denied a claim for handball.
The Shrimps' best moment came on 72 minutes when Stewart Drummond deflected a Twiss free-kick against the post.
In the final minute, Bishop failed to find Hurst free in the box and the Shrimps held on.
Morecambe: Roche 9, Yates 7, Bentley 7, Artell 7, McStay 7 (Parrish 68), Wainwright 6 (Duffy 64); Hunter 6, Drummond 6, Curtis 7; Twiss 6, O'Carroll 6 (Taylor 82). Subs not used: Edge, McLachlan
Bury: Brown 7, Buchanan 7, Haslam 7, Cresswell 7, Sodje 7; Bennett 7 (Racchi 85), Jones 7, Barry-Murphy 7, Dawson 6; Hurst 6, Bishop 6. Subs not used: Futcher, Baker, Morrell, Rouse
Referee: M Oliver
Attendance: 2,165
Roche made a series of superb blocks to deny promotion-chasing Bury victory and further enhance his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Championship.
McIlroy said: "Barry Roche is the best goalkeeper in this division and that is why I was so keen to bring him here.
"He made some great saves in this game, as he has done all season, and he just seems to be getting better and better.
"I like to keep him grounded and tell him that that's what he's there for, but there's no denying how well he has performed for us."
McIlroy was also quick to praise Roche's team-mates for their sterling efforts to keep out an excellent Bury side and record their third clean sheet in four games.
The visitors, who began the game in third place, started the sharper and Roche was forced to make his first save on six minutes when he dived at the feet of Elliot Bennett.
Morecambe hit back with a Michael Twiss shot from the edge of the box, and Neil Wainwright shooting straight at Bury keeper Wayne Brown.
In the second half Bury created, and wasted, a string of chances.
The best came when Michael Jones swung in a perfect cross for the unmarked Andy Bishop at the far post, but the prolific striker saw a close-range header superbly tipped away by Roche.
The Morecambe keeper again denied Bury, getting down well to block a shot after Bishop had pounced on a mistake by Henry McStay, before Jones hit the side-netting.
Morecambe defender Dave Artell had to make a superb clearing header, and as the pressure continued Roche made another point-blank save.
Bishop saw an effort ruled out for offside, and Bury were denied a claim for handball.
The Shrimps' best moment came on 72 minutes when Stewart Drummond deflected a Twiss free-kick against the post.
In the final minute, Bishop failed to find Hurst free in the box and the Shrimps held on.
Morecambe: Roche 9, Yates 7, Bentley 7, Artell 7, McStay 7 (Parrish 68), Wainwright 6 (Duffy 64); Hunter 6, Drummond 6, Curtis 7; Twiss 6, O'Carroll 6 (Taylor 82). Subs not used: Edge, McLachlan
Bury: Brown 7, Buchanan 7, Haslam 7, Cresswell 7, Sodje 7; Bennett 7 (Racchi 85), Jones 7, Barry-Murphy 7, Dawson 6; Hurst 6, Bishop 6. Subs not used: Futcher, Baker, Morrell, Rouse
Referee: M Oliver
Attendance: 2,165