Contented boss Graham Turner believes his Shrewsbury Town squad are improving as the promotion race progresses – after making their Boxing Day point at rivals Cheltenham.

Town extended their run of just one defeat in the last 11 games after playing out an entertaining goalless stalemate at Whaddon Road yesterday in a third-versus-fourth battle.

Shrewsbury had been beaten in their away games at the other sides above them in the League Two table  – Crawley and Southend – at the end of September and start of October.

And Turner believes yesterday’s efforts offers further evidence of the progress Town have made since the start of the season.

“I do think we are getting better as a team,” he said.

“If it was perhaps Crawley and Southend again (now), we would do better.

“I didn’t think we performed at either of those grounds in the first 45 minutes but yesterday we looked at it.

“I have got to be pleased with the way we have gone recently and the results we have had, with the exception of Aldershot it’s been a decent run.”

Yesterday’s share of the spoils leaves Town still two points adrift of Cheltenham.

But they head into the New Year double header at Bradford and at home to Northampton just one point outside the automatic promotion places after the abandonment of Southend’s trip to Aldershot because of floodlight failure. The visitors were a goal to the good at half-time.

Meanwhile, Turner paid tribute to Town’s travelling army of supporters after 1,021 supporters made the trip down the M5 to back their side.

“It was a terrific turnout and it proves supporters want to watch their football over Christmas and New Year,” he added.

“They made a lot of noise. It was very much appreciated and we hope to keep going for them.”