Skipper Ian Sharps today urged Shrewsbury Town to cash in on a home draw and reach the glamour stages of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years.

Yesterday’s second round draw paired Town with League Two rivals Rotherham for a Greenhous Meadow showdown on December 3.

The prize for the winners will be a place in the third round alongside the biggest names in English football.

And Sharps is hoping Town will rise to the occasion against the Millers to claim the scalp of his former club.

“We’ve had quite a few away draws in the cups this season so hopefully we can take advantage of being at home,” said the central defender.

“Every lower League club’s first target in the FA Cup is to get to the third round so it’s a big game for both clubs.

“We drew 1-1 in the League there last month and I don’t think either team has lost since then so it’s proved a bit of a starting point for both teams.”

Town booked their place in the draw with a 1-0 victory at Newport County on Saturday.

Striker Terry Gornell –who a national weekend report claimed is being tracked by Leeds – grabbed the only goal of the game.

And, while that extended Town’s unbeaten run to five games, Sharps insists Town can take nothing for granted.

“It’s been a decent run and a lot of hard work has gone into it,” he added.

“But that work has to continue because I still think we can potentially be better.”

Town, who were today assessing the hamstring injury to right back Jermaine Grandison, will face a managerless side on Saturday after Gary Johnson left Northampton this morning.

Former Town loanee Andy Holt and ex-Chelsea defender David Lee are in temporary charge.

By James Garrison