Joe Hart hails 'special' Shrewsbury Town reception in FA Cup draw

The Shrewsbury-born England international was on top form for West Ham to keep out Town in the first period in which Paul Hurst's hosts dominated.

He denied Mat Sadler and then Alex Rodman on his first-ever competitive return in his home town.

"It was a fun game. I think Shrewsbury were the better team, that's fair to say - we weren't great, it'll be a tough replay," said the West Ham loanee.

"I should be surprised (by them) but I wasn't. They were on the front foot. i don't know, maybe a few of the boys were tired, we've had a lot of games recently."

But the Manchester City man enjoyed the occasion back on his old stomping ground and was grateful for the way he was received.

"It was really special. It's my home, it's where I'm from, where I grew up as a kid," he added.

"I moved to Manchester when I was 19 and it's fast, everything comes at you, I'm an older man now.

"Thins like this mean a lot more and touch me more.

"It was fantastic. I know most of these people, in one of these towns where you are two people away from (knowing) everyone.

"But during the 90 minutes we wanted to win and I wanted to win."

The shot-stopper added that family and friends still based in the town help keep Hart updated on his ex-side's high-flying progress under Hurst.

"It's impossible not to keep an eye on them. This day and age it's very hard to not follow a team. I've got a lot of friends and family that keep me updated."