Shaun Whalley happy to wait for his moment with Shrewsbury Town

The 29-year-old winger is making up for lost time in the game after admitting he didn't take things seriously enough during the early part of his career – when he spent time in non-league football.

Now the pacy wideman is one of Shrewsbury Town's greatest assets and under new boss Paul Hurst, who has a history of facing up against Whalley in non-league, looks set to play a big part in Town's revival act this campaign.

Hurst has already admitted to being a great admirer of playing natural wide men in a 4-4-2 system, surely music to the ears of the former Southport man – who is one of Town's few natural wingers.

But, despite coming on and scoring a memorable 98th-minute goal to seal a crucial three points against Oxford on Saturday, Whalley is more than happy to play the waiting game.

"I think everyone knows that I love playing football," beamed the goal scorer.

"It's not just my job, it's what I love to do. Obviously the gaffer's gone with his team and that's no problem.

"We did so well against Barnet in the cup and he's gone with the same team and that's perfectly fine.

"I'm just looking to make an impact when I come on and help the team get over the line. Luckily I was able to do that.

"We went with a diamond and that doesn't involve any wingers, but I'm sure he'll change whenever he feels necessary. But we were good with the diamond, so I can't see any reason why he would change it or why he will.

"I've got to wait for my chance. Be patient and work hard in training and then see what happens."

Whalley's goal added to AJ Leitch-Smith's 19th-minute opener. The latter, signed from Port Vale in the summer, has hit a welcome purple patch under Hurst.

His unorthodox finish on Saturday – bundling the ball in and nearly following it – was a fourth goal in three games, having not scored in 18 attempts prior.

Whalley is all too familiar with such a run of form. He netted in three consecutive matches under former boss Micky Mellon last March.

The winger's seven goals last season were all scored within just over a month of one another. "It was a very funny goal, wasn't it?" he said of Leitch-Smith's finish.

"But I said to a couple of people that's what happens when you're hot.

"Last season I went through a spell where I was getting a lot of goals and I always remember the one where I scored from a corner – you don't get them unless you're scoring before.

"AJ's been firing the last couple of games and it's great for him because he's a great lad and he works as hard as anyone on his game. I'm delighted for him."