Joe Riley insists leaders Shrewsbury will remain grounded

The full-back, who is enjoying a spell in Paul Hurst’s first-team thoughts having played on both the left and right side of defence recently, enjoyed 18 months with the Shakers in which they sealed promotion to the third tier.

Spirits are high in the visiting camp ahead of tonight’s trip to a side who find themselves bottom of League One, writes Lewis Cox.

Town kept their emphatic season going with a memorable added time winner at promotion contenders Rotherham three days ago.

Yet another victory has left blue and amber supporters dreaming of a promotion push.

Riley, a key component in that victory as he linked up with Shaun Whalley down the right flank, explained that getting carried away is not an option for Town players under Hurst and Chris Doig.

“I honestly don’t feel like anybody wants to get carried away,” said Shrewsbury’s No.2, whose rocket against Shrewsbury in April 2015 was his first goal for Bury.

“We’ve not really achieved anything yet. We’re just in a very good position for where we are. We’ll just keep going. The manager and Doigy will keep our feet on the ground.

“As players we have no big-time Charlies. We’re quite level-headed as a group.

“I’ve experienced it (getting carried away) in the past. With Bury a few times we did alright and then got ahead of ourselves and thought we’d cracked it when we hadn’t. I don’t think we’ll be doing that here.”

Boss Hurst, who has no fresh injury concerns other than a few stiff aches and pains to contend with ahead of the trip, explained last week that spirit, belief and togetherness can take a team far. Riley related to the comment, adding that the feel of working at Sundorne Castle is unlike any he has experienced.

“I definitely agree spirit can take you a long way,” said the 26-year-old Mancunian.

“I’ve not known a spirit at a place of work like this. It’s taken us this far and we’ll see how far it can take us.

“It’s got a lot to do with the staff, they create the environment and us players just go along with it.

“I think everyone’s bought into what they’re trying to do.”

Riley keeps close tabs on the goings-on at Gigg Lane and admitted his surprise at Bury’s plight.

The Shakers, who made a number of high-profile acquisitions in the summer under Lee Clark, are currently under the stewardship of former Town striker Ryan Lowe. The Liverpudlian spent five years at Gay Meadow between 2000-2005.

Lowe, in his third spell with Bury as a player, is in an interim player-manager role, with rumours circulating that Town’s hosts could be set to make a permanent appointment.

Riley played alongside the frontman in his time at Bury. He added: “He’s a top man, Lowey – I’m sure he’s going to make a very good manager.

“He’s a motivator. You look up to him at the age he is and the shape he’s in. He’s a top professional.

“I don’t know how many games he’s played but he’s had a very good career and I’m sure he’ll carry that on.

“They’ve got some fantastic individual players, I’m sure they’ll turn it around. I hope they can do alright, just not tonight.”