Manager Paul Simpson is refusing to throw in the towel on automatic promotion as Shrewsbury Town aim to topple League Two pacesetters Rochdale tomorrow.

Town are currently six points behind the top three positions, a gap which has the potential to grow should fourth place Notts County win any of their three games in hand.

But Simpson, who celebrates his second anniversary at the Prostar Stadium helm today, believes a late victory barrage could yet yield promotion without the need for the play-offs.

“It’s still there for us,” Simpson said when asked of his side’s chances of gate-crashing the top three.

“We need to be really positive in every game now because only wins will do. In the last 11 games last season we had seven draws and that was way too many. We need to go for wins in every game, starting with tomorrow.”

Simpson insists his side should take credit from their recent run, despite last week’s setback at Grimsby.

“In January and February I’ve been nominated for manager of the month,” he added. “I’m not going to lose any sleep over not winning it but it shows the players have been doing things right for a lot of the time and they can take heart from that.”

Simpson is anxious his side atone for a miserable 4-0 defeat against his former club Rochdale in December tomorrow, a defeat which still rankles.

“We have to do everything better than we did then because they out-ran us, out-fought us and out-played us,” he added.

“That feeling of standing on the sidelines being abused by the home supporters and our own supporters on that day will stay with me for a long time.”

Simpson’s main selection decision centres on defensive options as Shane Cansdell-Sherriff returns from a two game ban.

Dean Holden is still suspended so Simpson could opt to move Kelvin Langmead to right back with Cansdell-Sherriff and Graham Coughlan in the centre.

Paul Murray, who played right back at Grimsby, and Danny Taylor are options.

Simpson hinted Dutch winger Benjamin van den Broek is pushing for a start.

By JAMES GARRISON