SAMMY McIlroy is backing Michael Twiss to come good despite the Morecambe hero going through a goal drought.

Twiss, widely regarded as the best player outside the Football League, hasn't hit the net in the Conference for 14 games - a run stretching back to October 29 and his brace in the 2-2 draw at Canvey Island.

But that doesn't concern the Christie Park caretaker boss who says: "Michael Twiss is having a dry spell but good players don't become bad ones overnight.

"He has a bit of a tough spell but when he scores he will start going again and there's no better time to do that than in the run-in. We have got five players with goals in them and we are a threat for anyone."

A return to form for Twiss this weekend would be the perfect tonic for McIlroy after the Shrimps lost 1-0 at Stevenage.

Morecambe host Forest Green on Saturday before making the trip for a televised Red Rose derby to savour with league leaders Accrington Stanley on Monday night.

That game, as always, promises to be a high-octane affair as Stanley look to cement their place at the summit as Morecambe try to force their way into the mix.

McIlroy is sure there will be many more twists and turns before the end of the season.

"I am not making any predictions about points. It changes every week but I always say it's good to have points in the bag," he says.

"With 13 games to go and games against Accrington, Aldershot and Hereford over the next few weeks it's a very important time.

"But it's an important time for all of the clubs. We are all after the same thing. We are all fighting for a play-off place and the pressure is on.

"But it's good to be up this end of the table and in the nitty-gritty. The pressure is there because Morecambe have nearly done it in the last couple of seasons.

"They have just not managed to scrape over the line but hopefully, after all that has happened, this season we can do it."