Boss Paul Simpson is backing Shrewsbury Town to return to their free-scoring best – and believes that could happen at home to Notts County tomorrow.

Town’s League Two promotion bid has taken a dent in recent weeks, and their failings in front of goal have been a big factor in that.

They have scored just 10 times in 11 league outings since the turn of the year, compared to the 20 they registered in the same number of games at the start.

But Simpson believes the signs are there that they can turn it around – and urged the fans to keep faith.

“Over the last run of games we’ve created a whole host of chances for different players and we haven’t been as ruthless or as clinical as we’d like,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep creating and I’m quite sure it will turn for us and we’ll start banging some goals in.

“We’ve fallen behind where we want to be but it’s still not out of our hands. We’ve got to be looking for the three points and a strong performance tomorrow.

“At this moment the players need help from the staff and also from the supporters – if we all stick together over these last 11 games then we’ll all have more to smile about.”

Simpson is looking for Town to build on the 1-1 draw with Exeter on Tuesday, having been pleased with the way they responded to last Saturday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at Macclesfield.

“Notts County have had an up-and-down season,” he said. “We had an improvement on Tuesday and we want another improvement tomorrow.

“Tomorrow is all about us going about our job properly again, like we did on Tuesday. If we’re right and we’re on our game then we’re a match for anyone at this level.”

Town are without long-term injury victims Kevin McIntyre and Mike Jackson, while striker Michael Symes is ruled out by a knock he picked up in training.

Fellow forward Dave Hibbert has returned to full training, but will not be considered for the squad.

By CHRIS HUDSON