Paul Simpson was delighted with the application of his side as they fought from behind to grab a vital point at Morecambe. Marc Pugh's 70th minute equaliser gave Town a share of the spoils on a night where they edged away from Notts County, and further still from Wrexham whose position looks increasingly perilous.

"It was a classic point but it's the performance that pleases me as well," said the manager. "It's just a huge turnaround from the second half at Chesterfield and after everything that's been said this week that's the sort of reaction we wanted. We made changes to the side in a bid to freshen things up and I thought they all came in and did a job for us especially with the way some of the other results have gone tonight. But it still means we've got to get a result and wouldn't it be nice to get it on Sunday against our local rivals? It will be in front of a big crowd and it means we have to be professional between now and then, and unfortunately if it means we have to put another nail into Wrexham's coffin then so be it, that's what we will have to do," he continued.

Six games into the job Simpson is still waiting for his first victory but felt that the overall performance at Christie Park was as good as any during his brief tenure.

"I think over 90 minutes that's probably about as well as we've played. We showed fantastic commitment and work rate. I thought the two midfielders did excellent for us, the two forwards worked their socks off and the two centre-backs were good as well. The goalkeeper's done everything that was asked of him, so we can't ask any more. I always think that if you have six or seven players all winning their own little battles you've always got a chance."

Speaking of chances, Scott Bevan got his tonight which brought to an end Glyn Garner's 100% record in league appearances. Was it a tough call for Simpson?

"That's a tough one. It depends; I just felt it was a decision that had to be made. When you're in the middle of a bad run like we are, you have to do anything you can to try and break the cycle. Had any of the games earlier ended in wins then Scott Bevan would have been given his chance before tonight. He's deserved his opportunity and I thought his sheer presence made a big difference to us. He's a good kicker so I wanted to see that and I've been delighted with him tonight."

Darran Kempson and Colin Murdock were the new look defensive pairing, with Graeme Lee victim of a nasty facial injury at the weekend and Luke Jones omitted from the squad, and Simpson was delighted with their contribution.

"They've come in and done well. At this stage of the season it's not about being fancy, it's about rolling your sleeves up and doing the horrible side of the game. I think they've done that tonight. They're a good side but we've closed them down and we've been physical which is what you need to be successful in this league.

"Dave Hibbert was excellent with his front play tonight and Pughy's done well for us too in the role just off him. It gave Marc the freedom to go and do what he's good at. Dave's been composed in bringing the ball down and maybe was a little unfortunate not to score himself but if you want to score goals you have to get in the six-yard box and that's where Pughy was."

The gaffer admitted he hadn't seen the table but was still clued up enough to know that defeats for Wrexham and County had made life a touch easier for his battle weary side.

"I know it's a point closer for us because the other teams at the bottom have lost. I want to go unbeaten until the end of the season - I said that last week. I don't like losing football matches. I thought we could have won tonight but I suppose I would have taken a draw before kick-off.

"I want to win Sunday's game there's not a shadow of a doubt about that. I've looked in the programme at some of the results we've had at home and I think the fans have had a bit of a raw deal. Hopefully we can give them something to smile about on Sunday against our local rivals, which would set us up nicely for the next home game also against local rivals. If we finish the season as strong as we can then we can get some momentum to take with us into pre-season."

So fifteen winless games it may be, but if the fighting spirit shown in Lancashire is replicated in the four remaining fixtures, there can be little doubt that the millstone of that particular statistic will soon be removed from Town's collective necks.