Paul Hurst still searching for the right Shrewsbury Town system

Town remain bottom of League One despite a number of encouraging performances and results, but now turn their attentions to making the famous competition's third round.

With injuries sidelining Joe Riley and Shaun Whalley while Abu Ogogo misses the final game of a three-match suspension, the Town chief is still searching for a winning formula with the squad he inherited.

Saturday's goalless draw with Port Vale saw Hurst opt for his favoured 4-4-2 set-up, with Junior Brown and Louis Dodds – not known for playing wide midfield – slotting in on the wings.

"We're probably doing a little bit more shape work here than we did (at Grimsby) – we're trying to implement ideas," said Hurst.

"We're still probably trying to find a way that best suits us with the players available.

"Abu's been out, Shaun's injured and Joe hasn't featured since I've come. So we're not at full strength as we would have liked and that would have given us different options.

"But this week is a chance to work. Maybe in FA Cup week you have the chance to do something different – but unfortunately we won't, we'll be training and I'll be out with Chris (Doig) and the others; scouts will be at games to try and find options for us come January."

Hurst, who guided Town through the first round of the FA Cup with a win over League Two Barnet – his first as boss – reserved praise for midfielder Gary Deegan, who put in an eye-catching performance against Vale.

The boss revealed that a tactics talk with the Irish midfielder brought a positive response.

He added: "We had a little chat on the Friday with Deegs about trying to be on the front foot and that if you're not sure then go and press the ball.

"Overall I thought we did that better and Deegs certainly did that at times. He got on the ball too. I spoke about us moving it quicker, at times we have a lot of touches in midfield when it's not needed."