Defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff wants Shrewsbury Town to feed on happy memories when they bring the curtain down on their 2011 campaign with a trip to Bradford City on Saturday.

The New Year’s Eve clash at Valley Parade sees them return to the scene of an impressive win last season, when two Tom Bradshaw goals in the final quarter of an hour sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 win.

And Cansdell-Sherriff is eager to use that as motivation for a repeat performance as they look to build on the 0-0 draw at promotion rivals Cheltenham on Boxing Day.

“We’ve done well at Bradford and the last time, especially, was a very exciting game,” said the Australian centre-back, 29.

“Those of us who were here last season will remember that and we’ll be talking about it before the game and bringing those memories back.

“All the boys know how important it is to take points over the Christmas period, we can’t afford to take our foot off the accelerator and party too much.

“We’ve worked so hard to stay in touch with the top three and to claw our way closer to the top two and it’s vital for us to win at Bradford now and back up a great result at Cheltenham.”

Cansdell-Sherriff has been a central figure in a Town defence that has proved one of the meanest in League Two.

They have kept six clean sheets in their last eight league outings and the former Tranmere man believes that gives them a psychological advantage against their rivals.

“We’re very happy with that record because it’s one of the things to pride yourself on as a defender,” he added.

“It’s seven clean sheets in our last 10 if you go back a bit further and that gives us a great starting point to go on and win.

“Other teams see that record, they see that we are difficult to break down and it puts negative thoughts in their minds straight away.”

See also:

• Graham Turner content with Cheltenham point
• Cheltenham 0 Shrewsbury 0 – analysis
• Reuben Hazell nearing Shrewsbury Town comeback