Defiant coach Mike Jackson will draw on his own past experience to offer Shrewsbury Town a ray of hope as they attempt to pull off a famous play-off fightback.

Town have given themselves a mountain to climb in the League Two play-off semi-finals after conceding a 2-0 first leg advantage at Torquay on Saturday.

Shrewsbury today began preparations for Friday’s return, but Jackson has stressed that the tie is far from dead – having been part of a team who have fought back from the same deficit in the past.

“I was at Tranmere in the same team as Ian Sharps (in 2004-5) and we played Hartlepool in the play-offs,” said Jackson.

“We went up there, lost 2-0 and we were awful.

“We came back to Tranmere and got it back to 2-1 and scored in the last few minutes to make it 2-2.

“We lost on penalties in the end but we took it to extra time and that shows what can be done.

“It’s definitely do-able at our place.”

Town were relieved to leave Plainmoor trailing by just two goals, but are now eyeing a famous Greenhous Meadow occasion.

“We had some chances ourselves but we are an honest group and I think we have been fortunate in the end to come away with (only conceding) two,” added Jackson.

“We have got to hit them with the kitchen sink on Friday and the fans are going to be massive for us.

“If we can get a big response from them, that will be a great help.”

Town look likely to be without captain Sharps who limped out of Saturday’s action at Torquay after just 24 minutes.

“It’s his thigh and groin —it looks like it might be a hernia,” said Turner.

By JAMES GARRISON