Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst: We deserved all three points
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst marked his side's dramatic improvement this season as he came away frustrated not to take all three points at Oxford United.
Stefan Payne's 84th minute strike after coming from the bench grabbed Town a point to remain unbeaten in League One after they had undeservedly fallen behind 10 minutes earlier.
Town dominated throughout and Hurst was left livid after he felt his side wrongly had a goal ruled out as Carlton Morris' lob dropped over the line. The boss had watched the footage back after the game.
Similarly, Shaun Whalley was barged over in the Oxford box in the first period as referee Nicholas Kinseley waved play on.
Hurst insisted his side deserved the full spoils.
"It should have been three points," said the boss as Town sit third with 10 points.
"We should've had a penalty in the first-half, there's no doubt whatsoever that it should've been a penalty, the ball is a million miles from their left-back and he's pushed into the side of Shaun Whalley.
"We then have a goal that is clearly over the line. The assistant referee looks like he's in a good position.
If we get ourselves in front, yes we don't know how it'll pan out, but the first goal is important and you hope they have to do something to change it.
"As it was we conceded a goal.
"But to come here against a team fancied to do well. To let them have five or 10 minutes tops where they've really been the better team.
"We should win it at the end with Stef's (Payne) chances but he got the goal and looked a threat. Lenny (John-Lewis) came on and did extremely well."
Hurst noted the remarkable improvement as his side remain unbeaten in League One, despite missing the chance on a club-record four wins from the opening four games.
He added: "Overriding, I'm stood on the side, I think back to the end of last season (last day v Oxford) at this moment I'd like to think moving forward the improvements dramatic and we look a decent side.
"That's not getting carried away because it's not in my nature but if we can come to a place like this and perform like that it only bodes well for the future.
"They've got some good players but we didn't see too much of that in truth.
"Maybe a slight criticism is in and around the box, not letting our shots go, a little bit of luck along the way helps, I don't know if it's luck but the right decisions.
"I think they were complaining about the cross being out for the goal but I've got very little sympathy when I've spoke about the two decisions prior to that.
"Overall very happy, slightly frustrated, but would I have taken 10 points from the first four? I think I probably would have."
