Paul Hurst hails Shrewsbury Town players after hard fought win
Boss Paul Hurst hailed the effort of Shrewsbury Town's players after they picked up a vital win at Millwall.
Louis Dodds' first-half goal was enough for Salop to claim a 1-0 victory at The Den and three points which, while not enough to lift them off the foot of League One, did see them cut the gap to safety.
Town are now just two points behind 20th placed Bury in an increasingly congested lower half of the table and Hurst said: "In the position we are in, we have done nothing yet. At the same time we have to enjoy the moments we get.
"Apart from one game at Fleetwood I have been in charge for nine games now and can't have too many issues with the players.
"There are things we want to do better, there are things we want to get better at. But at the end of the day I feel they are giving me everything and they showed it again today."
Town's fourth league win of the season - and first at Millwall since 1965 - was earned thanks to a determined rearguard action after Dodds had put them ahead. Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler made a number of key saves, while Adam Al-Abd and Jim O'Brien cleared off the line and the hosts squandered a number of late chances to level.
"In the second half we had to withstand a lot of pressure. The way they play, they are very direct and put a lot of balls into the box, you are worried you will succumb to that in the end.
"I have to say I thought there was some excellent defending. Jayson made some good saves, more first half than second.
"In the first-half I thought we played very well so overall I am delighted with the performance and effort of the players. It's a very hard earned three points."
Left-back Ryan McGivern will be assessed ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup tie at Fleetwood after being forced off with a shoulder injury, though Joe Riley did make his return following knee surgery, coming on as a late substitute.
