SAMMY McIlroy lavished praise on his gritty Shrimps after they ended their mini-slump with Tuesday's 2-1 win over Aldershot.

Morecambe had to hang on against an excellent Shots outfit despite going 2-0 ahead inside the first 20 minutes.

"It was a gritty, tough, battling performance and I was delighted with the boys," says the Ulsterman.

"To be fair we could have been well clear at the break but Aldershot came back well and Steve Drench had a very good game.

"In fact, I was disappointed when they scored because the boy deserved a clean sheet."

Drench's heroics followed on from two wonderful early goals, both goal of the season contenders, from Matty Blinkhorn and Neil Sorvel.

"I was right behind Blinks when he hit it - it was a super strike and the keeper never stood a chance," adds McIlroy.

"And Sorvs doesn't score many - but when he does they are crackers."