Experienced defender Graham Coughlan is convinced Shrewsbury Town will finally end their search for an away victory at Macclesfield tomorrow.

Town’s search for a long overdue success on the road has become a real monkey around the neck of Paul Simpson’s side as they attempt to mount an assault on automatic promotion.

But Coughlan is confident players, management and fans alike will finally have something to celebrate away from the Prostar Stadium tomorrow.

“They are all massive and all cup finals – and that is how they have to be treated and played,” said the 35-year-old.

“It’s been a big disappointment with our away form but I’m not going to go on about that because at quarter to five on Saturday afternoon that will change.

“We are determined that this will be it.

“It has to be. We have let ourselves down and it has gone on too long. This weekend, quarter to five it will be all change.

“It’s going to be a hard, tough encounter. You are going to get handed nothing and we have got to out and earn it, gain it and win it.

“That will be the attitude and mentality we take into the game.

“Let’s get out on the pitch on Saturday and get this thing sorted and mount this charge we keep talking about.”

While all Coughlan’s energies during the final 13 games of the season will be focused on the quest to reach League One, the Irishman is already making some plans for a future career in coaching and management.

“I’ve been doing the coaching badges for a while and I’m just trying to tidy up my A licence,” said Coughlan, who assisted Stuart Delaney on the bench in the reserves’ 5-0 victory over Sheffield United on Wednesday as assistant manager John McMahon carried out a scouting mission on Macclesfield.

“I was with some household names at Lilleshall last summer with the likes of (Ryan) Giggs, Gary Neville and (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer.

“It’s been interesting and I enjoy it.

“The gaffer and Stuart Delaney were good enough to allow me to get involved on Wednesday and it’s just a bit of experience.

“I have done football all my life and I’m an addict. I come and watch the reserves anyway so it was nice to get involved.”