Fired up Shrewsbury Town have been urged to have the “courage” to produce a stunning turnaround in tonight’s now-or-never play-off showdown with Torquay.

Town will have to overturn a two-goal deficit in the play-off semi-final second leg – at what will be a packed and vibrant Greenhous Meadow – to keep alive their promotion dream.

And, on the club’s 125th birthday, boss Graham Turner has backed his side to summon up one massive effort as they aim to book their place at Old Trafford for next Saturday’s final against either Stevenage or Accrington.

“It’s going to take courage – mental and physical – to do it tonight,” said Turner.

“We have got a home advantage and a big crowd prepared to get behind the players.

“We have to play at the right tempo and give them something to shout about. I think it’s still there for us.”

“There is a massive incentive for the players because it will be one of the best feelings of their lives if we can go on to get promotion.

“If we can pull a goal back, it changes their psyche a little bit.

“The crowd will be intimidating and they will have it all on to contain us.”

Town remain hopeful they could get a major pre-match boost with the return from injury of talismanic skipper Ian Sharps and key right back David Raven. A final decision will be left until closer to kick-off.

And, while Turner would welcome an early goal, he insists it is not imperative to his side turning the game around.

“We have to be sound defensively and if we don’t score in the first 20 minutes we have still got a chance,” he added.

“It could take until the last half hour of the game to get back into it.

“We have to make sure we give ourselves every opportunity.

“It will be interesting to see how they approach it.

“Make no mistake, I think they are a good side as they have shown against us a couple of times.

“We have to make sure we keep the back door locked and that they don’t get a goal.”

Town will draw hope from the fact Torquay have conceded three times in their last two away outings at Rotherham and Burton.

By JAMES GARRISON