THE AGONY and ecstasy of Morecambe's dramatic Conference play-off defeat left Kendal-based Garry Thompson philosophical before the squad set off to wind down in Spain and plot their comeback next season.

He said: "I believe we can roll up our sleeves and show the mental strength to come back from our disappointment to be sitting on top of the Conference at this stage of next season."

Winger Thompson was in electrifying form in both matches and especially when the Shrimps attempted to pull back a 2-1 first-

leg deficit against Dagenham and Red-bridge in front of a packed Christie Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

Morecambe went 3-2 up on aggregate through a Dagenham own goal early in the second half and an Adriano

Rig-oglioso strike four minutes from the end of normal time.

It seemed to have booked their ticket into the play-off final (with a Football League place at stake) against Doncaster at Stoke's Britannia Stadium this Saturday.

Instead Dagenham levelled the aggregate score in the 89th minute through Paul Terry to force a tense penalty shoot-out' which they won 3-2.

Morecambe failed with their first two attempts, but scored with their third and Thompson neatly put away his spot-kick to put them in with a fighting chance at 2-2.

Unfortunately, Dagenham scored their final penalty to go 3-2 up and Welsh international keeper Tony Roberts made a second save to give them the victory.

Thompson, 22 who has been at Morecambe for five years, said: "We were all gutted to go out on penalties after finishing second highest in the table and were probably the best side in the play-offs judged over all season.

"We had beaten all the other three sides before this weekend - but that's football and you have to take the highs and lows."

May 9, 2003 12:30