That was possibly the biggest indicator yet that this year is our time.

That might seem a strange thing to say given some of our performances so far this season and Saturday being far from that. However, the one thing any top side does is churn out results when the game is not going their way and they are not fully at the races. No team can maintain top performances for 46 games so picking up points on those off-days is absolutely vital.

This is exactly what Town did at the weekend. Was it a terrible performance? Not at all, far from it. Was it their worst of the season so far? Yes, in my opinion it was. Particularly the first half reminded me of the last few seasons where Town looked devoid of ideas and creativity when the opposition closed the game up.

One of the things I am enjoying about Town this season is their ability, whether it's through Kieran McKenna or the players themselves, to recognise and adapt to the opposition's game plan.

McKenna admitted after the match that he did not plan for Morecambe to play the way they did. This was evident in the first 45 minutes. Town were frustrated and created almost nothing, something which we haven't really seen so far this season.

As the half drew on Morecambe grew in confidence and when forcing the press, Christian Walton made a rare mistake with a poor pass out.

The foul was maybe a little soft but there was plenty of opportunity to defend the free-kick better than we did. It was hard to tell if the attacker was offside when the ball found his way across to him, but the flag didn't go up and it was a good finish past Walton.

Going behind did seem to kick Town into gear a bit, but this mostly came after the break. Lee Evans almost taking a chance late in the first half as his deflected effort hit the post.

Last season, I think all Town fans believe we go on to lose the game. It would have continued in the same way and would end in an embarrassing defeat. There was a part of me that was nervous it would happen again. Different to the game at Cambridge, Town hadn't exactly been knocking on the door.

Morecambe, who due to injuries and suspensions, weren't even at their strongest were really standing up to the battle. Given they don't have a back-up team who can play in the upper echelons of the division as Town have, it wasn't a game in which the Blues could slip up. Not with Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday both continuing their good form with wins.

From what McKenna said in his post-match interview, the players were confident at the interval that they could go on and get the win. The second half was a different story. Motivated by potential upset, town turned it up a notch.

It still wasn't the fast-flowing football we have come to love this season, it was bitty and happened in bursts, but Town opened the game up and got their reward.

Kyle Edwards, who deserved his place in the starting XI, curled a neat shot towards goal from the end of the box. It just clipped the post. It was unlucky but the man is now oozing confidence.

Conor Chaplin's cross then caused problems for the Morecambe defender whose wayward header cannoned off his own cross-bar. Suddenly in the space of about 10 minutes of football, Town had hit the woodwork three times. You feared it was going to be one of those days.

Finally, the equaliser came in the 54th minute. Davis with another excellent delivery from the corner saw George Edmundson coolly finish the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net. It was a predatory finish from the centre-back. Since he took some criticism after the Plymouth game, Edmundson has been largely faultless.

The game had swung and Town were pushing for winner. Edwards, having switched sides just before the break, was causing some really problems for the tiring Morecambe full-back. They had worked hard to stop Town from playing their game in the first half - they told us they were going to by the way - and it might have taken the energy out of them a bit too much. Edwards driving run into the box saw the defender make a clumsy challenge. Slam-dunk penalty.

The reliable Chaplin hasn't had his best two games in a Town shirt. His penalty was weak and an easy save for the Morecambe goalkeeper. A wasted opportunity. For me Chaplin looks like a he needs a break. Maybe having a full week between games will do the trick.

Thankfully the Morecambe defensive errors did not end there. This time it was Kayden Jackson, who had been quiet for most of the game, ran into the box from the other side and drew the foul. Another penalty. This one looked a bit soft to me. But considering how many big decisions have gone against us, this one goes a little way to balancing it out. Only a little though. It was a bit soft not a blatant mistake from the officials.

Evans took charge this time and slammed the ball home - 2-1 to Town. They just had to see the game out.

From that point on it was a professional performance. Town knew they had been in a game and probably not at their best, but they had done enough to take away the three points. That is why it is so important. And that is why I think it shows we are a top two team this year.

Other than one Cole Stockton opportunity, not a man you want to get one, that trickled just wide, Town limited Morecambe to nothing.

Derek Adams felt after the game that they had done enough to get a point. They should certainly be proud of their first half performance, but I don't agree they did enough. We hit the woodwork three times and missed a penalty. On another day it could have been 6-1 and would have looked a lot more comfortable.

Town have now shown that they can hold onto narrow leads, break town teams who shut up shop, dominate games against good signs and churn out wins when they are not at their best. Almost a third of the way through the season, if we can continue that then I am confident we will see Town back in the second tier next season.

Lincoln up next, a team that we generally have a good run of form against in the league (not so much the cup) and they are not looking as strong this year. I am confident with a week's break to recharge it should be another dominant win for the Tractor Boys.

Uppa Town

bluesteal74 added 13:53 - Oct 10 Really loving McKenna Ball right now. Great read.
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Europablue added 21:34 - Oct 10 This really feels like our time. I'm desperate to get to a match. Hopefully, my Dad can get some tickets. I'm also trying my best to get my little boy his first kit, but the shop is just selling out of everything.
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scants_itfc_88 added 09:07 - Oct 11 Yeah its tough to get kits at the moment. I managed to get the third kit yesterday but had to queue online for a while first... hope you manage to get one
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therein61 added 19:24 - Oct 11 Excellent article.
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