Determined defender Kelvin Langmead believes Shrewsbury Town’s victory over promotion-cashing Rotherham can be the catalyst for a long unbeaten run.

Town made a vital return to winning ways last night when they defeated the third placed Millers 2-0 at the Prostar Stadium.

Goals at the end of either half from loan duo Waide Fairhurst and Jamie Devitt brought the three points, and Langmead believes it could be a turning point for his side’s fortunes.

Dogged performance

“I said before the game yesterday that I thought we were one big win away from going on a run and that could be it,” he said.

“We just needed to get the confidence back. Last night was all about the result but we gave a dogged performance on a tough pitch and I think we deserved the win.”

Langmead and his defensive colleagues – which included a debut for on-loan Tottenham goalkeeper David Button, who got the nod ahead of Andreas Arestidou – were also thrilled to secure a clean sheet for the first time in three months.

“It goes without saying, we have been disappointed with the lack of clean sheets and it was vitally important to get on the trail of doing so,” Langmead added.

“We are delighted as a keeper, back four and as a team. Right from the front we worked really hard and the two lads in the centre of midfield (Terry Dunfield and Paul Murray) were fantastic with the amount of ground they covered on such a hard pitch.”

Manager Paul Simpson, who last week revealed he had tried to bring in defensive reinforcements, also paid tribute to his rearguard.

“Dean Holden has been absolutely outstanding this season, Graham Coughlan was back to what he is all about after a bit of a dodgy patch, Kelvin has got pace and is a defender and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff can defend and is a good footballer,” the Town boss said.

“You start to ask yourself why they are not keeping clean sheets. Last night they did their jobs right and I’m delighted for them.”

Shrewsbury’s youngsters are at Port Vale tonight in the Midland Youth Cup.