Manager Paul Simpson today urged Shrewsbury Town to draw on the inspiration of last season’s late charge to the play-offs to help produce a repeat mission.

Town have an outside chance of extending their season should they win their remaining matches against fellow play-off hopefuls Northampton, Morecambe and Port Vale – the teams directly above them.

Even then, 12th placed Shrewsbury would have to rely on results elsewhere if they are to bridge the four-point gap which separates them from the top seven.

But Town were in a similar position 12 months ago when late away victories at Rotherham and Dagenham saw them snatch a play-off place on a dramatic final day.

And Simpson believes his squad should take the positives from those memories over the next fortnight.

“We knew last year that we had to win at Rotherham and Dagenham to get in there and we did it so I’m sure that will be a boost to the players,” said the Town boss, who insists everyone’s future is still on the line despite seven points from the last available nine.

“We know we have to win all three games and, if I’m being totally honest, I’m not 100 per cent sure it would be enough to get us in the play-offs.

“But all we can do is win those games and it would certainly give us a chance.

“We went to Dagenham last season for a winner-takes-all on the final day at Dagenham and I’m sure we would all take that at Port Vale this time.”

Simpson insists he takes heart from the fact that – despite widespread criticism of his side’s season – they are on exactly the same number of points as they were at the same stage 12 months ago.

“When you consider the changes we made and that we lost Grant Holt and Ben Davies who have scored 31 and 15 goals, maybe we haven’t done too badly,” he added.

Town reserves are in action at Walsall in their penultimate game tonight, with Saturday’s match-winning hero Kris Bright set for an outing.

The team will also include Benjamin van den Broek, Lewis Neal and teenager Tom Bradshaw.

By James Garrison