Gary Deegan eager to avoid final-day drama with Shrewsbury Town

The midfielder's former Northampton side secured a 3-1 Sixfields Stadium win over Oxford in May 2014.

Shrewsbury finish their season at Oxford, but the passionate Irishman would prefer survival not to hang on another victory over the U's.

The 29-year-old spent just a year at Northampton before moving on to Southend. He racked up 30 appearances with the Cobblers in League Two that term, but has already trumped that with his 43 outings for Town this season.

Deegan, who is expected to partner Bryn Morris against Millwall in a crunch League One clash tonight given the suspension to Ryan Yates, said: "I was at Northampton for one year and it went right down to the wire in the last game.

"I've tasted what it's like and it's not a nice feeling but it's time to roll our sleeves up.

"We've been there all year, there's no getting away from it, it's plain and simple to see.

"We've been down there from the very first whistle but we'll continue to keep going.

"It could go down to the last game but it only takes a win tonight to get us going again.

"We (Northampton) stayed up and the club went on to get promotion the next year – that's something to think about. It's the fans that have to sit there and watch it all, as a player you have to focus on what you've got to do."

Deegan is joint-second in Town's appearance making statistics this season and has won plaudits from supporters for his committed displays, where he wears his heart on his sleeve.

The Dubliner has picked up 14 cautions this season – 12 in the league, which stands him joint-top.

His hard-hitting challenges are matched by hard-hitting views and the experienced midfielder doesn't believe players should need to raise their game for the visit of a big-hitter like Neil Harris' play-off chasing Millwall.

Deegan has experience of big occasions under the lights, featuring in Champions League qualifiers for former side Bohemians in his homeland.

"I don't think you can be picking out game and saying 'Oh, I want to be playing in this one'," added the ball-winner.

"If you're playing Tuesday night games against whoever, you need to give the same attitude, enthusiasm and go about your business.

"That's what the best players do; they show up every week, not when they pick and choose.

"We need to come out fighting tonight and show that we care."

Deegan added "I don't care about Millwall. I care about my team-mates and what we're about. We know what they're about.

"The gaffer's given us a game plan and we'll stick to that.

"If we do, we'll get something out of it."

Boss Paul Hurst has lambasted Shrews' luck, not least the penalty and red card decisions at Bristol on Saturday.

But, while agreeing Shrews have endured tough luck, Deegan confirmed that the table – at this stage – doesn't lie.

"It doesn't lie, but I can certainly say there have been games where we've had bad luck.

"But I'm not going to say that it's all because of it because it's not. There's been games in the season where we should win but we couldn't. But it's not about looking back now."