Determined skipper Graham Coughlan believes Shrewsbury Town’s players owe it to the club and the supporters to avoid another FA Cup humiliation this weekend.

The arrival of first round weekend on the football calender has brought back painful memories of last season’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Blyth Spartans.

Town face a team from the equivalent standard on Saturday when Staines – who are in Blue Square South while the Spartans were in the North – visit the Prostar Stadium.

And Coughlan is determined to ensure Shrewsbury don’t find themselves on the end of a giantkilling for the second successive year.

“Last season was a horrible feeling and preparing for the game this week has brought back all the memories of Blyth,” said the 34-year-old defender.

“I can remember the game like it was yesterday and I remember the embarrassment of watching the TV highlights at night and reading the papers over the following few days.

“I’m sure all the other players felt the same and we don’t want a repeat.

“We know Staines will come and treat it as their Cup final but we have to stand up and be counted.

“The preparations have been good so far and will continue to be good this week so the rest of it is up to us.

“We owe it to the club and the supporters to make sure there is not another shock.”

Coughlan is pleased to see Town battling at the top end of the League Two table, but insists there is room for improvement.

“You look at two points a game as promotion material and we are just short of that at the moment (25 points from 15 games),” he added.

“If we can pick up and keep improving between now and the Christmas period, we will put ourselves in a good position.”

Omer Riza, Craig Disley and Terry Dunfield all continue to make good progress in training after injury absences, but will not be considered for this weekend.

By JAMES GARRISON