Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town can keep form going – Craig MacGillivray

Shot-stopper Craig MacGillivray is confident that Town can sustain their ferocious first quarter of the League One season.

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The goalkeeper played a crucial part in extending Shrewsbury's unbeaten start to the league season to 12 games by making a fine late save to preserve Town's 1-1 draw at Walsall.

Signed on a free transfer from the Banks's Stadium club this summer, MacGillivray was between the sticks due to Dean Henderson's absence with the on-loan Manchester United youngster away on international duty.

MacGillivray insists that there is belief with Paul Hurst's squad that Town can continue their flying form and mix it at the top of League One all season.

He said: "We want to stay where we are, but there is still a long way to go. We want to make sure for the next three-quarters that we're doing everything we can like we have done in this first quarter, to stay where we are.

"Yes there's a belief we can do it. We've all discussed it that we think we can go for as long as we possibly can.

"Why not go the full way? But we have to make sure every time it hits 3 o'clock or 7.45 on a Tuesday night that we're bang at it, every time."

The 24-year-old last-gasp save to deny ex-Town loanee Tyler Roberts was his biggest contribution in Town colours to date as the former non-league glovesman has had to bide his time with Henderson preferred as Hurst's first-choice.

Town equalised at the Banks's through Stefan Payne's penalty after Dan Agyei had given the hosts an early lead.

Payne's spot-kick followed debate regarding Jon Guthrie's handball, which stopped the striker's goalbound header. Guthrie survived a red card because all four officials were unsure of his identity, Hurst revealed after the game.

But the boss appreciated the officials' honesty. He said: "To be fair the fourth official said 'I'm just being honest.' That's all you can ask from them.

"You want them to get it right, but after that you want honesty, so I kind of applaud them for that.

"But I do think there's almost a case for referees to come out and explain their decisions when it's something like that so key to the game."