Paul Hurst: Don't doubt Shrewsbury Town's spirit
Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst has no doubt about his side's spirit after they produced yet another late show to snatch three more points in the hunt for promotion.
Toto Nsiala's header in the 89th minute after marvelous Alex Rodman work snatched the spoils for the visitors, who had been pegged back earlier in the second period.
Town had taken the lead through Omar Beckles' first goal for the club but the Gas immediately equalised.
It looked as thought there would be a share of the spoils but sub Rodman dived in to win a challenge, superbly danced around two Rovers men and put it on a plate for Nsiala.
The goal lifted Town into the automatic promotion spots and handed Shrews a first league win at Bristol Rovers since November 1969.
“It’s always nice when you win that way," said Hurst.
“It was a tough game, as we expected, on a very heavy pitch, but I don’t doubt the spirit in the team whether we win, lose or draw.
“I thought we were the better side first-half and then got ourselves in front, and then after we looked like we were going to go on and control the game they get an equaliser and have a good spell without Craig (MacGillivray) having to make too many real saves of note.
“Then we game back into it and obviously get an excellent winning goal. There’s a bit of debate as to whose goal it is. I think some people gave it Alex Rodman, but at the time I thought Toto had headed it in.”
There was some confusion on the awarding of the goal, but defender Nsiala insisted post-match it was his header rather than direct from Rodman's cross.
But it mattered little to Town's boss or 700 traveling Salopians as Town made it back-to-back wins - both on the road at difficult locations in Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers - to climb back above stuttering Blackburn into second.
Hurst was more impressed with Rodman's endeavor to win a 50-50 challenge after an initial late corner was cleared.
“The best thing's the tackle in the first place because you don’t expect that with wingers," he added.
“I know he can do the other parts. It’s a great bit of skill and he drove into the box, which is what you want your wide players to do because it’s tough for the defenders who don’t want to be giving away a penalty at that stage.
“He went round the first lad, round the second and then put the ball in the net or at least very close to going in the net.”
