Stefan Payne delivering on Shrewsbury goals promise

The forward, signed from Barnsley this summer, has netted five times in seven Town appearances this term – despite only completing 90 minutes once.

His last two appearances in wins against Southend and Oldham have been marred by first-half injuries. He recovered from a worrying foot problem last week to make the trip to Oldham, where he suffered a deep facial cut while scoring the game’s opening goal. But he boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio – a strike every 51 minutes – in the top four divisions.

“It’s a nice habit he’s in at the minute,” said Hurst. “He backed himself that if he had a run of games in League One that he would score goals. At the minute it’s hard to argue against that.”

Payne, 26, did spend a loan spell with Town last term but struggled to get up and running after damaging his metatarsal 11 minutes into his debut.

His brave goal at Boundary Park last weekend was the latest example of the striker being in the right place at the right time.

“I feel for him in a way. I’m sure he had a bit of a sore head,” added Hurst. “But it’ll be helped by the fact he scored again. I’m not sure it will make his top 10 goals of all time but it’s nice for him to be in that vein of form.”

“Against Southend he looked really promising (before injury) and at Oldham he had a couple of moments where he was a handful – and then you lose him again.

“It’s a bit frustrating and I’m sure for Stef as well.

“But it goes to show that on Saturday Lenny didn’t get on the pitch, which is the first time this season and he’s done extremely well.

“I went to Carlton and he’s not a bad one to bring off the bench, I would suggest. It shows the strength of the squad again that will certainly be needed throughout the season.”