Paul Hurst: Shrewsbury Town 'deserved' the draw

Winger Shaun Whalley's tremendous strike four minutes from time rescued what could be a crucial point at the struggling Dons.

Town's boss acknowledged that, while some of his squad are playing below their best, the performance - particularly compared with last season's dismal Stadium mk display - had improved.

Town were staring a run of three league defeats in the face before Whalley's seventh goal of the season and three in three games.

A satisfied Hurst said: "I think it probably is difficult to keep reaching the heights, in truth.

"But it's not going to stop us asking for that. If we think back to coming here last year, I think we've had a hell of a lot more of the game.

"And I think we looked a team that can certainly compete. Last year for large bits we weren't very good but today we were a lot better.

"But we weren't as fluent as I like to see us. I think we looked a little tentative at times. I think we can look a little more positive when we got the ball.

"We've got some players, in all honesty, that aren't at the top of their game at the minute.

"That's natural, but my only ask is that they keep working extremely hard and it'll turn for them.

"Early season there's no doubt we were absolutely flying with the performances as well as the results. It's not the worse thing in the world today to come here and get a point."

Town remain second in the table, a point clear of Blackburn, but have won just once in their last five league outings.

Hurst felt his side conceded a poor goal shortly after half-time to hand the hosts the initiative, but was pleased as the visitors upped their tempo in search of an equaliser.

The manger's introduction of Louis Dodds and Lenell John-Lewis also played a part in Town's late revival.

"It was a poor goal that we conceded. We lost the first header and then two people went for one ball and another's not quite across far enough," he added.

"You just start to wonder what sort of day it'll be again.

"But I give the boys credit as suddenly we seemed to up our tempo. That's the frustration, it's not only us, how many times do you see when watching football that they have a setback and are then on the front foot.

"I made some changes to try and get us back in the game. Although it wasn't a direct consequence of that, we had enough attacking players to try and get an equaliser.

"Then I could've changed it and gone more defensive but I thought let's go for it. If anyone was going to win it then it looked us."

The boss smiled on Whalley's wonder-strike near the death: "It was a great cross wasn't it? No it was a fantastic strike. As soon as it left his foot - not that we had a great angle - it felt like it was on its way towards goal.

"It was no more than we deserved in truth. Obviously when you're behind, of late we've been 1-0 down, we've maybe found it difficult in the league at least.

"I'm relatively pleased. When you come away from home after losing a couple of late, it's important to pick up a point and it edges us closer to that first target (50 points)."