Defender Dean Holden believes Shrewsbury Town have the attacking players to be successful this season – if they can start accumulating clean sheets.

Town are still waiting for their opening shut-out of the campaign after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chesterfield.

But Holden is confident he saw encouraging signs defensively as Town bounced back from their 5-0 mauling at Dagenham four days earlier.

“We worked a lot since Dagenham on the shape defensively and it was miles better on Saturday and made us hard to play against,” said Holden.

“We have got some great players going forward and we will score goals, I’ve got no doubts about that

“But we can’t just let other teams play. We have to make it difficult and get in the other teams faces and I think we did that on Saturday.

“We all want to get in the top positions and that will help us do that. Everyone is trying their hardest and there is a fantastic work attitude here.”

Manager Paul Simpson was pleased to stop the rot after the Dagenham setback.

“I am happier because there was a massive improvement from Tuesday,” said the Town boss.

Rumblings

“We had a 20 minute period in the second half when we allowed their players to get on top, but we had patches when we looked very solid.

“We knew how important it was not to lose because already people are starting rumblings of unhappiness.

“We are so few games into the season everyone has to keep their heads.

“We were all disappointed with Tuesday night but even the best teams take a hiding.

“It’s how you react and I thought we reacted very well from the start on Saturday.”

SImpson was adamant Paul Murray had been fouled in the build-up to Chesterfield’s equaliser, but refused to point the finger at referee Anthony Bates.

“It was a dubious goal and the ref has admitted to Paul Murray he made a mistake,” he added.

“It is one which cost us a goal and we can blame that – but the goal came in a period where we lost out way a little bit.”

By JAMES GARRISON