Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner today turned his focus back onto the battle for League Two points after a sterling Carling Cup show at Stoke.

Town pushed their Premier League hosts every step of the way last night before finally bowing out 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.

Shrewsbury found themselves two goals behind at the break after headers from Jon Walters and Tuncay.

But the League Two side wrestled the initiative after the interval and deservedly pulled one back from Steve Leslie.

Shrewsbury couldn’t force the equaliser and, while Turner was delighted with his side’s display, his attention immediately turned to maintaining their unbeaten League record at Stockport on Saturday.

“We had a good go at it and the players can enjoy a few accolades from the level of their performance,” said the Greenhous Meadow chief.

“But the important thing now is Saturday and preparations have to start for that because the bread and butter is the League.”

Turner admitted his side grew in stature as the night wore on at the Britannia Stadium.

“We were a bit cautious in the first half,” he admitted.

“You come to a Premiership ground and it’s a case of being a bit sensitive to the power and pace of Premiership players and I think we allowed Stoke a little bit too much room.

“We had a lot of the ball in the first half without ever look like creating anything.

“Second half, we were a bit freer in our attitude and pushed on and created some good positions.

“Maybe had the goal had come a bit earlier, we might have got back into it.

“We had a great following and I would hope our supporters enjoyed the evening because I think we gave them plenty to shout about in the second half.”

Former Town boss Paul Simpson, now in charge at Stockport, was carrying out a scouting mission at last night’s tie with ex-Shrewsbury goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins.

Shrewsbury’s reserves play their first home game of the season tonight when they entertain Wrexham (7pm).

By James Garrison