Kris Bright celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0

How ironic that it took a player who is sure to be part of the Town clearout in the summer that kept our slim play-off chances alive, writes Shrewsbury Town blogger James Pugh.

It’s taken long enough, but Kris Bright’s first league goal was certainly welcomed by fans on Saturday.

However, despite the 1-0 win over Lincoln, I fear the damage to our play-off chances was done earlier in the week when we struggled to a 0-0 draw with Cheltenham.

Until it is mathematically certain that we can’t go up, at least it gives the players something to play for and keeps the fans on the edge of their seats.

I have said it before, but it has been the results against struggling teams like Cheltenham that have hurt us the most this season and we have had a habit of making these teams look better than they are.

Our chances of a strong end to the season were hit by the news that captain Graham Coughlan will be out for at least three weeks. He has had a mixed season by his own standards, but his skill as a captain cannot be questioned and it leaves us short in defensive cover.

Another blow is the news that Nathan Elder will be available for the final two games of the season after his loan spell with AFC Wimbledon finished. Some fans may think I am being a bit harsh, but three goals in the Blue Square Premier speaks volumes.

All he and Kris Bright need to do now is score the winning goals in the final game of the season away at Port Vale to sneak us into the play-offs. There’s a challenge!

Despite the uncertainty over a lot of players future at the end of the season, one man who has really stood out and who fans would love to stay is on loan keeper David Button. He has kept us in many games this campaign and has single-handedly earned us a few more points than we would have got without him.

The chances of keeping him are very slim – he is unlikely to get into the Tottenham team but is bound to go on loan next season to a team in the Championship or League One.

On the positive side it will give Chris Neal a chance to establish himself as our long-term number one and what he has got in his favour is that Simpson seems to be a fan.

With three games to go, next up for Town is a tricky trip to fellow play-off challengers Northampton on Saturday.

Northampton are just one place above us and with everything still to play, you can expect the game to be a tight affair with maybe just one goal in it.

Town brushed aside their opponents 3-0 in the reverse fixture in September and will be hoping for something similar.

Are fans still thinking of the play-offs or are they looking ahead to next season in League Two?