Paul Simpson has admitted his team’s sudden loss of form is providing cause for concern after reflecting on a “poor” exit from the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Town were beaten 2-0 by Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground last night to end their interest in the lower League competition at their first hurdle.

It means Shrewsbury have now followed up four successive victories earlier in the season with a run of three consecutive defeats.

A nightmare catalogue of injuries – 10 first team players missed last night’s encounter – is doing little to help matters.

But Simpson conceded last night’s starting XI remained strong and is demanding improvements.

“We have asked the players after the game what has changed and nobody can give an answer, but we look flat at the moment,” admitted Simpson.

“We need a spark to come in – that might have to come from the outside to freshen things up – because to perform like we did last night isn’t acceptable and to perform like we did for long periods on Saturday (at Darlington) isn’t acceptable.

“A few weeks ago we looked a solid unit and an attacking, positive unit.

“We have not changed the training or the preparation and the personnel has not changed that much. There is a mental change which needs to be addressed as soon as possible.”

Goals from Gary King and Dean Winnard in the first nine minutes of the second half condemned Town to defeat last night, and Simpson’s disappointment was clear.

“It was poor,” he said. “In the first half, neither side really looked like scoring and in the second half, we didn’t get started at all.

“We didn’t do our jobs right defensively and at no point can I say we really showed a spark which is a concern.

“We’ve suddenly gone from being a team which can recognise danger and create opportunities when we were on a good run to being a team which doesn’t smell danger and doesn’t seem to have an edge to us.

“That’s something we need to change quickly.”

By James Garrison