MORECAMBE aim to go one step further than last year to remove the memories of their final day heartbreak.

The Shrimps host Halifax Town in the Nationwide Conference match of the day on Saturday and want to hit the ground running ahead of what is sure to be another tough campaign.

During the last three months of last season Morecambe were the form team of the whole league - but a final day 0-0 draw at Tamworth saw them, cruelly, denied a place in the play-offs.

That hurt Morecambe - but their early season form cost them and they are aiming to start well this time around.

Last time around Morecambe had to wait five games for their first win and had only managed one more success by the end of September.

"The start cost us last year," says skipper Jim Bentley. "After Christmas we went on a real run and the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs was a blow.

"But Tamworth is forgotten about now - but we have had a good chat and decided that we will not be in that position again.

"We do not want to go into the last game of the season needing a win; we want to be sorted before then.

"We know that all the other sides in the league will be saying similar things at this moment - but it is imperative that we start well.

"That goes for the new boys like Altrincham and Southport, for the mid-table sides and for the sides expected to do well like ourselves.

"A good start is important and we are determined to do well against Halifax, although they will certainly not be pushovers."

Morecambe are at full strength for the Christie Park clash.

Meanwhile, Halifax's attack will be spearheaded by ex-Huddersfield Town man Chris Senior, who signed in at the Shaymen on Sunday night after being released by Scarborough.