James Bolton determined to keep Shrewsbury on track

The right-back helped Paul Hurst’s side continue to upset the odds by pouncing to score his first Football League goal and down Portsmouth on their home turf.

Town had previously dropped outside League One’s top two for the first time in almost five months, but wins at Portsmouth and Bristol Roves helped them overhaul former Premier League champions Blackburn.

“When you think about going from non-league to the Championship like that, it’s a bit mad,” said the former Gateshead and FC Halifax man.

“I’m just pleased to be here to be honest and hopefully we can keep going.”

The 23-year-old is keen to take each fixture one at a time. He added: “It’d be massive, from playing in the Conference to the Championship – it would be ridiculous.

“There’s a long way to go yet, though, so we can’t really speak to much about it.”

Bolton explained how competition from Joe Riley has pushed him on since joining last summer, while admits fitness levels have shot up.

“I think that it pushes you on a little bit,” he said. “Even when you’re not really noticing it.

“Fitness is a big thing, you’ve got to be very fit and you’ve got to be able to concentrate for all the game.

“If you slip up, they score – it’s that ruthless.”