Losing your coveted Football League status is something most clubs don’t like to even contemplate.
However, there comes a point when you have to face reality.
That’s the situation Morecambe and Carlisle United now find themselves in.
Can they yet dig themselves out of a hole and leave someone else to take the plunge into the National League?
SPOT-ON: Josh Hawkes scores Tranmere’s winner at Bradford last week and, below, Derek Adams and Mark Hughes
PICTURE: Alamy
Rovers change their fortunes
The recent upturn in form of Tranmere Rovers under interim manager Andy Crosby must feel like a dagger to the heart of Morecambe and Carlisle United.
While the Shrimps and Cumbrians have been battling that sinking feeling for months, they’ve always had a glimmer of hope because of the struggles of others.
But gradually those in and around them have waved their farewells and climbed the table.
Veteran manager Ian Holloway surely deserves a medal for the way he has reinvigorated ailing Swindon Town, pushing them towards mid-table.
John Doolan’s Accrington Stanley have also picked up precious wins in recent weeks, a thumping 5-0 home victory against shell-shocked Newport County catching the eye, while Harrogate Town continue to keep their heads above water.
Barring a remarkable turn of events, it means the only club that Morecambe and Carlisle can realistically now hope to catch is Tranmere.
Crosby has Tranmere flying!
When Rovers lost 1-0 at home to Accrington late last month to make it ten games without a win, it proved to be the end of manager Nigel Adkins’ reign.
At that stage the Birkenhead club were only five points above basement side Carlisle and just two ahead of Morecambe.
But, before yesterday’s round of matches, Rovers had extended their cushion to six and nine points respectively over the Shrimps and Cumbrians.
After kicking off with a 1-1 draw against his former club Port Vale, Crosby followed it up with a creditable 1-1 draw at Grimsby and then oversaw a 2-1 home win against on-song EFL new-boys Bromley.
If that was impressive, then last weekend’s 1-0 success at Bradford City – courtesy of Josh Hawkes’ second half penalty – was something else entirely.
The Bantams had won their previous ten home games and would have moved level on points with long-time leaders Walsall with a victory.
If Crosby can keep Tranmere – who visited Fleetwood yesterday – motoring, then Morecambe and Carlisle may as well already start packing for the National League.
Cumbrians and Shrimps sinking
Morecambe boss Derek Adams has battled on through adversity this term, but, with a seemingly never-ending takeover saga still rumbling on, it’s always felt that he was up against it at one of the EFL’s poor relations.
If the former Plymouth Argyle and Ross County boss can keep the Shrimps in the Football League, it would be every bit as big an achievement as leading them to promotion to League One in 2021.
For Carlisle, the thought of falling through the trap door to the National League must be devastating.
It’s less than two years ago that they were celebrating promotion to League One by beating Stockport County on penalties in the play-offs at Wembley.
Those glory days under Paul Simpson quickly faded away and an immediate relegation back to League Two followed.
However, no-one could have envisaged that the Blues would find themselves in another battle to beat the drop this term.
After Simpson’s early season departure, they turned to MK Dons boss Mike Williamson to revive their fortunes, but results continued to slide.
The vastly experienced Mark Hughes took the reins early last month, but even he hasn’t been able to turn the tide.
A derby win at Barrow did temporarily lift the spirits and the club’s American owner Tom Piatak said he was ‘confident’ that former Manchester City and Wales manager Hughes would get he club out of trouble.
It’s going to need something miraculous.
A home success against MK Dons in their game in hand on Tuesday would provide a massive boost, while the trip to fellow toilers Morecambe on Saturday, April 12 could have big repercussions for both sides.
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