Danny Grainger hails Morecambe spirit after hard-fought FA Cup win

Morecambe assistant boss Danny Grainger praised his side’s spirit as they sealed a place in the Emirates FA Cup third round for the fourth time in five years.

Jordan Slew’s 82nd-minute strike earned victory over a Bradford side reduced to 10 men after Neill Byrne was sent off on 77 minutes for a violent push on the Morecambe striker that saw him crash into the advertising boards.

Grainger said: “It was a perfect day really and we are over the moon. There was a lot at stake and there wasn’t a lot in the game and to be able to watch the draw with us in the hat now is exciting for us all.

“The lads were brilliant all over the park and we nullified them to very few chances and the spirit was amazing yet again.”

Slew’s winner came eight minutes from time when he nipped in front of his man to volley home a right-wing cross from former Bradford player Luke Hendrie.

Both sides had come close to taking the lead in the first period, with Morecambe’s Harvey Macadam hitting the post before Jay Benn and Oliver Sanderson wasted glorious chances for the visitors after being played in on goal by superb passes.

They were made to pay for those missed chances with Slew’s goal deciding the tie.

Bradford boss Graham Alexander said: “It’s a harsh result for us. We had some great chances to take the lead but didn’t take them and after we brought on some fresh legs we had the red card which gave them some impetus.

“I’ve seen the challenge again and for the red card and it shouldn’t have been a sending-off but the fine margins are going against us at the moment.”