Buoyant boss Graham Turner today hailed the impact of Shrewsbury Town hitman Matt Harrold – as the striker eyed a charge on automatic promotion.

Harrold grabbed his eighth goal of the season with a spectacular 25-yard strike in Saturday’s 2-0 success at Southend.

It was the 26-year-old’s second goal in as many games – he also struck from distance against Burton last Tuesday – and came following his return to the side after a spell on the bench.

“Matt has put in some very good performance over the last couple of weeks, starting when he came on at half-time against Bury, then against Burton and again at Southend,” said Turner.

“They have been real physical challenges for him.

“He has been knocked from pillar to post but he has stood his ground, showed a fair degree of bravery and ability and to finish off with the two goals in the last two games is just reward for him.”

Harrold, meanwhile, believes Town’s first back-to-back triumphs since the start of November has come at the perfect time after his side rose back up to fourth in League Two.

“It was vital to get successive wins after the bad run we have had,” said the striker, who netted against his former club on Saturday.

“Everyone is confident and buzzing now and we really need to go on a run now.

“Our aim hasn’t changed even when we were having a bad patch.

“We have always felt we were capable of going up in an automatic spot and even finishing first.

“But we can’t afford to get too carried away — just take it a step at a time and keep working hard like we did at Southend.”

Town were today preparing for tomorrow’s trip to in-form Lincoln, with Turner believing his side are showing signs of turning a corner after a disappointing post-Christmas run.

“You just sense that the belief and confidence is coming back into the team and that’s what we need between now and the end of the season,” added the Town boss.

By JAMES GARRISON