Paul Hurst staying upbeat as he looks at Shrewsbury bigger picture

His side lost a third League One defeat in four games against Bradford to drop down to second ahead of a break from league action, where the cups take centre stage.

Town look forward to FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy knockout clashes before their next league game at MK Dons on Saturday week.

Nineteen games in to the league campaign, and in positive spirits after his side's competitive display despite defeat against the Bantams, Hurst took the defeat on the chin.

"Overall, if we're 19 games in, to have one really disappointing performance out of that (at Bury) – if we could replicate it for the next 19 games then, results aside, I'll be more than happy," said Hurst.

"I've got my own thoughts about ourselves and what we need to do moving forward, where we need to go.

"Overall, the fans showed it themselves that they're proud of that team (by clapping them off). If we keep performing like that I think we'll win quite a few games."

The Blues were unfortunate in seeing their seven-and-a-half month unbeaten home league record ended as Toto Nsiala's own goal handed City the narrow victory.

Hurst's side dominated in an impressive first-half – where they responded from a lacklustre display at Bury last Tuesday – but could not find a way through.

And the Montgomery Waters Meadow boss was satisfied. He added: "I hope they can take it on the chin. I'll happily dig them out when I think it's right.

"Maybe unusually for managers, at times I don't mind doing that publicly because I think they know I'm honest with them.

"I thought on Saturday we at least deserved a point but we haven't got it.

"(It's) certainly not a time to be laying into them or anything like that. I just don't like losing, there are ways to losing and I think we lost in the right manner."