Disappointed midfielder Terry Dunfield believes Shrewsbury Town must “stick together” to halt their biggest slide of the season.

Town suffered a third successive League Two defeat for the first time this season – and have now won just one in six – as they were beaten 2-0 at Aldershot on Saturday.

Despite slipping one place to ninth, Dunfield and the rest of his Town team-mates remain convinced they can secure a play-off position.

But the Canadian admitted a major test of character now lies ahead, with Shrewsbury three points outside the top seven with nine games remaining.

“It was another tough day at the office and it’s very disappointing,” said Dunfield.

“There is so much at stake for us and I think we let ourselves down on Saturday.

“We are going through a sticky patch and we all have to stick together and keep listening to what the gaffer has to say.

“He has been there and done it and knows what it takes to get out of this division.

“He keeps telling us we have got more ability in this squad than he had in his Carlisle team that went up so we have to take confidence from that.”

Manager Paul Simpson admitted his side must re-discover their confidence after a run which has now seen them go 311 minutes without a goal.

“We have got a group of players who played with confidence and freedom through January and February,” said the Town boss.

“Unfortunately, they have tightened up a little bit and we need to find a way to get them out of that nervousness and get the spark back.

“We had some good discussions last week and shown them little clips of videos when we have done well just to get them realise what they are capable of.

“But we are not doing it in the place that matters and that’s out on the pitch.”

By JAMES GARRISON