Ecstatic skipper Graham Coughlan believes Shrewsbury Town’s victory at Cheltenham could prove “the biggest three points of the season”.

Town came from a goal down to snatch an outstanding 2-1 victory at Whaddon Road with Dave Hibbert and Joss Labadie striking twice in four minutes last night.

That gave Shrewsbury their fourth successive victory and equalled their return of three away League wins from the whole of last season.

Coughlan was aware just how important the success was. It was a war of attrition and the boys stood up and showed great character in coming back from a goal down,” he said.

“It wasn’t pretty and wasn’t one for the faint-hearted but we have come through with what could possibly be described in April and May as the biggest three points of the season.

“I am glad I was on the pitch and not sitting in the stands watching it because it wasn’t a pretty way of playing from Cheltenham.

“But you come up against all different styles in this division. That was a style that we had to roll our sleeves up and stand up to it and dig deep and we did.

“At Dagenham (in the 5-0 defeat in August), as soon as the first goal went in when we went under and showed a weak side to us which, touch wood, we have eradicated.

“It’s early doors so we won’t get too excited but we are doing okay.”

Manager Paul Simpson, meanwhile, hailed the belief in his squad.

“You have to have it,” he said. “We believe we are a strong squad at the moment.

“We had it when everybody was doubting us as well – we kept together in there.

“We have come through that a little bit now but we know we haven’t achieved anything and we know it can change very quickly if we don’t carry on doing what we are doing.

“But we are delighted with the way the players are setting about it.

“We know we are not going to win every single game and we have to make sure we keep our heads when it doesn’t go for us.

“At the moment we are keeping heads and we are getting ourselves results.

“We have got a good spirit there and if we keep that, we have got half a chance.”

See our photo gallery here and read the full match report in today’s Shropshire Star

By James Garrison