Terry Dunfield of Shrewsbury Town celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 with Dean Holden of Shrewsbury Town

Goal hero Terry Dunfield has hailed Shrewsbury Town’s legion of supporters – and believes fan power can be a key ingredient in the promotion push.

Dunfield popped up with the only goal as Town downed promotion rivals Bournemouth on Saturday, a sweet moment for the Canadian who put through his own net when Shrewsbury were defeated 1-0 by the Cherries in December.

Saturday’s victory came in front of a crowd in excess of 6,000, and Dunfield has urged Shrewsbury supporters to continue their backing over the remaining 12 games.

“Fans are quite educated and have seen a lot of football,” said Dunfield.

“They know when things aren’t going well. On the flip side when things are going well, it’s great when they are behind you.

“I can’t wait to play every Saturday because we have got great support at home and away. If they can keep staying behind us like they have been, it will be a massive help.”

Dunfield has become a real fans’ favourite in recent months, following an initially shaky start to his Town career after joining from Macclesfield last January.

“Last season I was walking around town and getting pies chucked at me and a few evil looks,” he joked.

“But I’m loving my football at the moment. I love scoring, I love playing, I love every training session.

“Some footballers off the field do other things but, for me, football is my life and I can’t get enough of it. There is no better feeling in the world than scoring.”

Meanwhile, manager Paul Simpson believes Saturday’s victory ensures Town remain in contention for automatic promotion.

“It’s fair to say this is our most consistent run of the season, but in that spell we have had Accrington at home and Bury away where we didn’t play,” said the Town boss.

“There are things we need to improve on, but I’m delighted with what the players are doing.

“We are now three points better off than we were at the same stage last season, and we have to make sure we keep pushing each other on over the next 12 games.

“I want to be in an automatic promotion spot come that last game of the season and, at the moment, we still have a fighting chance.”

By JAMES GARRISON