Paul Hurst delighted to see Shrewsbury Town hit 50 point mark

Shrewsbury made it 51 points from 24 games and 81 in the calendar year with a routine 2-1 victory over Southend at Roots Hall.

Ben Godfrey celebrated signing a loan extension with Shrewsbury by scoring his first goal for the club - a dipping volley from 25 yards - that flew into the top corner and ended up as the game's decider.

Town secured survival with 51 points last season and Hurst has said all season that the 50-point mark is the target.

"It's all credit to the players, a fantastic effort so far," said Hurst.

The next goal is just to get at least another point and beat last season's total.

"Then we'll re-asses again. It'll be nice to get the result we all want at home on Monday.

"Then we have that little break. The last two we've had we've lost the league game so it's been a long time waiting for the next league game.

"It's a long journey home but we'll try and do everything we can to go again.

"They'll say 'I know you're safe now'. I think the league's a bit tighter and I'd still like a few more points just yet."

Town defended resolutely after the Shrimpers had halved the deficit from a corner 10 minutes into the second period.

But the Town boss was insistent that he would not be making any long-term predictions as Town enter 2018 aiming to continue their fine league record.

He added: "We haven't beaten the target. I'm certain we will do. At the minute there's no other targets.

"After Oldham there's a bit of a breather from the league. Some big cup games for us and maybe that's a time where we can have a look.

"I won't be setting any long-term goals, that's for sure, the players need to keep doing what they been doing.

"It's brought them success, you can see the togetherness out there, backing each other up and at least we've finished 2017 in a very good manner.

"If 2018 can be anywhere near as good then we're in for some good times."

Town extended their unbeaten run to seven in all competitions with the Roots Hall success.

Godfrey's winner won praise from Hurst. He added: "And what a goal.

"We saw a special game last season from Adam El-Abd and another one today.

"It's probably one of the things you don't associate Ben with, I'd been on at him about scoring a goal but have left him alone of late.

"A great strike. You can tell he doesn't score many because he didn't know what to do with himself. He stood there and screamed a few times, I think he was excited.

"You want to see that passion. It meant a lot to him and gave us a cushion at half-time."