Paul Simpson has revealed his pride in his Shrewsbury Town squad – and hailed the team spirit which has taken them to within 90 minutes of promotion.

Town were today continuing their long build-up for the League Two play-off final with Gillingham at Wembley on Saturday week.

And Simpson took time out to heap praise on the squad, which was successful in two win-or-bust games at Dagenham and Bury in the last fortnight to set up the promotion decider.

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“I’m proud of what the players have done all season,” said the Town boss.

“I think they have been tremendous in their attitude. There has been something that has happened over the last few months.

“There is a real togetherness and spirit about it. Maybe it was a case of ‘it looks like everybody is against us so let’s just stick together and fight our way through it’.

“They have done it and pulled off some really big results and some big performances.

“We have earned the right to be there, I don’t care what anybody says. People can criticise our away form over the season – but it’s been the away form which has got us there at Rotherham, Dagenham and Bury.

“It doesn’t matter how you amass the points. We knew at the start if we had enough points to be in the play-offs we would have a chance.

“Now we are one game away from achieving what everybody wanted at the start.”

Simpson is hoping the pain of defeat to Bristol Rovers at the same stage two years ago will inspire those players involved.

By JAMES GARRISON