Skipper Graham Coughlan has challenged Shrewsbury Town to become a defensive mean machine — and notch the 20 clean sheets he believes is required to challenge for promotion.

Town had struggled for shut-outs during the opening weeks of the season, but landed a confidence-boosting first against Crewe at the Prostar Stadium last Saturday.

And Coughlan is determined that proves a starting point for a series of strong defensive showings, starting at Lincoln this weekend.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer so we have to build on that and we are looking for more of them,” said the 34-year-old.

“With 19 or 20 clean sheets you should be in the hunt and the shake-up at the end of the season and that’s where we want to get.

“We have come under some deserved criticism (in the first few weeks of the season) because we have been poor at the back, let’s be honest about that.

“Granted it’s not all down to the back four because the team defends.

“But ultimately when the goals go in you look at the defenders because they are usually in the vicinity.

“We have been conceding left, right and centre so last week was important.

“It was niggling and it is unpleasant when you are conceding that amount of goals – but now we have something to build on.”

Coughlan, who returned to his best in the victory last Saturday, is also eyeing greater individual consistency after admitting he had fallen a little below his own standards at the start of the campaign.

“I’ve not been where I should be, I’m the first to admit that and I’m my own biggest critic,” he added.

“I know where I need to be and what I need to be doing.

“If you like I’ve let the manager down a little bit because he puts a bit of faith in him.

“I hope last week is the start for myself and I can go on and get a run of consistency and momentum to my game.”

By JAMES GARRISON