Captain Ian Sharps today insisted in-form Shrewsbury Town are ready for their play-off challenge after their automatic promotion near miss.

Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Oxford meant Town – who have won seven of their last nine games – fell just one point short of finishing in the top three in League Two and sealing promotion automatically.

But, after being pipped by Wycombe, Graham Turner’s side are determined to focus on the battle ahead – starting with the two-legged play-off semi-final against Torquay.

“We want to get promotion this season and it would have been nice to do it on Saturday,” said Sharps, who is embarking on his third play-off campaign.

“But if we do it in the play-off final in three weeks time, it will be good enough for us.

“There is certainly more life in us yet and hopefully we can get past Torquay, get through to the final and get promotion.”

Town travel to Plainmoor for Saturday’s first leg (5.45pm) and have been given an initial allocation of 1,128 tickets which are expected to go on sale from tomorrow.

Tickets for the home leg on Friday week were available from today with both games covered live by Sky.

Meanwhile, Sharps continued a season of recognition at Town’s official end of season awards dinner last night.

The former Tranmere and Rotherham man followed up being named in the PFA League Two team of the year by being named Shrewsbury’s Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year.

Jon Taylor claimed the Young Player of the Year gong, which is voted for by boss Turner and his coaching staff, while Mark Wright’s opener against Hereford in November was voted goal of the season.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here since I arrived last summer,” added Sharps, who is expected to earn more awards at the supporters player of the year gathering at the Greenhous Meadow tonight (7.30pm).

“But the only thing that matters is getting promotion.”