Town’s Wembley dream

Shrewsbury Town received the performance of the round award for their 7-0 victory over Wycombe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Jeremy Sayce, from Johnstone’s Paint, is seen presenting the trophy to boss Paul Simpson watched by five-goal hero Grant Holt and midfielder Kevin McIntyre.

Shrewsbury Town will tonight put their promotion push on the back-burner – as they attempt to move within three matches of a Wembley final.

Paul Simpson’s side entertain League Two rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in the southern area quarter-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (7pm).

Town will be hoping to continue their scintillating home form which has seen them win six and draw one in seven League outings to date – averaging three goals a game in the process.

And Simpson is confident his team are capable of competing for both League and cup glory.

“When I was at Carlisle we got promoted and also reached the final of this competition so it shows it can be done,” said Simpson.

“With the teams we have put out and the way we have approached the games in this competition against Exeter and Wycombe (1-0 and 7-0 away wins), we have shown we have been interested in it from the start.

“We have got another tough game against Dagenham and we have to try and make sure that we maintain our interest in the competition.

“We have been very pleased with the home form.

“The performances have been very good and the performances from the fans have been superb this season so hopefully we can get another good turn out tonight.”

On-loan midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has been given permission to play in the lower League competition by parent club Reading.

But goalkeeper Luke Daniels looks certain to remain on the sidelines tonight as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

By JAMES GARRISON

• Following a meeting between the managing director of Shrewsbury Town, Rob Bickerton, and the editor of the Shropshire Star, Sarah-Jane Smith, all misunderstandings have now been resolved and normal service has been resumed – with full match coverage of tonight’s game in tomorrow’s Shropshire Star.