Manager Paul Simpson has urged Shrewsbury Town not to dwell on their Bury setback as they prepare for another vital promotion tussle in front of the television cameras on Monday.

Shrewsbury missed the chance to break into the automatic promotion slots last night as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Gigg Lane.

Former Town man Ryan Lowe converted a penalty on 71 minutes to deservedly give Bury all three points.

Simpson – who took charge for the 100th time as Shrewsbury boss last night – admitted his side failed to hit the heights, but immediately set about lifting his squad ahead of Monday’s tough trip to fourth placed Rotherham.

“We didn’t perform as well as we have been of late,” he said.

“We didn’t threaten their goal enough and we have got to be more positive than we were last night in the way we pass the ball and get balls in to the box.

Do-or-die

“I think we are a better side than what we showed, but now we have to pick ourselves up like Bury did.

“They had a disappointing result last weekend at Chesterfield and they have bounced back with a victory.

“We have just had three wins and a loss in the last four games – if we do that for the rest of the season we might not be far away.

“Last night was never going to be a do-or-die that said yes or no to achieving anything. We have to look forward again.”

Midfielder Craig Disley admitted Town had failed to fire as an attacking force.

“It was a big game for us and I don’t think we performed anywhere near our capabilities,” said the midfielder.

“We gave it a bit of a go in the second half but I think Bury deserved the win.

“We didn’t work their goalkeeper (Wayne Brown) anywhere near enough, but we have to put it behind us – and we can’t afford to lose any more games against teams above us.”

Simpson introduced Norwich striker Jamie Cureton with 25 minutes leftafter electing to keep his new loan recruit on the bench.

And he must now decide whether to tinker with his starting line-up for Monday night at the Don Valley.

“We probably had the strongest squad available that I have had in my two years here last night and they will all play a part for us,” added the Town boss.

“The system and the players (that had won the previous three games) deserved another chance and we will have a look at it now for Monday night.”