 McIlroy guided Morecambe to promotion from the Conference last season |
Manager Sammy McIlroy hailed Morecambe's victory over Preston as a "proud moment" in the club's history. The Shrimps were promoted to League Two last season while Preston just missed out on the Championship play-offs.
"We're not going to win the cup, but to come here, to come out on top - it's a great part in Morecambe's history," he said after the 2-1 success at Deepdale.
"There was no fear, we just stood up to them, and I thought at times we mastered the football."
He added: "They've got a bit more class, but we kept going. If Preston got a winner, I still would have been proud."
 | The first 45 minutes were totally unacceptable |
But McIlroy insisted he was more concerned by how his side fare in League Two this season: "To be honest - and I'm not taking the mickey - I'd rather have three points on Saturday."
Preston manager Paul Simpson said he was "absolutely raging" after watching his side concede an early goal and then a late winner.
"I'm massively disappointed," he said. "The first 45 minutes were totally unacceptable."
But Simpson refused to blame goalkeeper Wayne Henderson after his mistake resulted in Morecombe's winner: "Everyone will blame Wayne for that second goal but I think he's made a mistake being positive and doing the right thing."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?