Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner has urged his team to be “guarded” as they aim to build on their rise to the automatic promotion spots in the run-up to Christmas.

Town have taken seven points from the last nine on offer to break back into League Two’s top three and now lie just four points adrift of table-topping Chesterfield.

But Turner believes one glance at last weekend’s results around the country shows his side must be wary of the challenges ahead.

“I think we have to be very guarded,” said the Town boss.

“We are in a period of the season where you do get some strange results.

“You only have to look at the top level with Sunderland going and winning at Chelsea.

“In our division you had Bury and Chesterfield losing at home (to Stockport and Burton respectively).

“We have got some tough games coming up and we have to make sure the players are right and that we stay on top of things.

“If we perform to our capabilities, we will have a good chance in games.”

Turner admitted Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Stevenage was an example of how every point will prove crucial come the end of the season.

“We showed the resilience to get the point which took us up to third,” he added.

“And it just shows you how important those single points can be — if you can’t win then don’t lose.”

Winger Lionel Ainsworth looks set to miss part one of Town’s quickfire home double header against Southend on Saturday.

Ainsworth is still suffering from the groin problem which forced him to sit out Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Stevenage.

If has been a frustrating month for the winger with injuries.

And it means the 23-year-old faces a race to be fit for the visit of his former club Hereford on Tuesday.

By JAMES GARRISON