Last night’s 2-1 home defeat to Crewe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round northern section tie means Shrewsbury have now notched just one victory in the last 10 games in all competitions.

It was only the second time in seven games that Town have conceded more than once, but Jones believes there is room for defensive improvement.

“It was very frustrating and we conceded two really sloppy goals,” said the 29-year-old.

“We started poorly for some reason and then the last 10 minutes of the first half and all the second half, we battered them.

“You have to give them credit, they were a good side with great movement but it was sloppy defending from us.

“We can’t give goals away like that because they grow in confidence and we get penned back. We have to start better.”

Jones believes an increase in the number of clean sheets will yield benefits across the pitch.

“We are keeping the ball fine but we are not finding the back of the net,” added the former Aldershot man, who missed a good volleyed chance last night.

“But the main thing for me is, as a back four, we have to cut out the sloppy goals because that will give us a platform.

“It’s a fine line and if we can cut out the sloppy goals, I think we will produce at the other end.”

After Shrewsbury had fallen 2-0 behind, Asa Hall pulled one back with Shrewsbury’s first goal for 338 minutes.

But boss Graham Turner admitted his side were made to pay for a lacklustre first-half display.

“We were sluggish, didn’t work hard enough and conceded a poor goal,” he said.

Town, whose reserve team were in action at Chesterfield this afternoon, were assessing the hamstring problem which forced keeper Joe Anyon off after 20 minutes of his debut.