Paul Hurst and Shrewsbury eye up sealing a top six place

The Montgomery Waters Meadow side moved on to 71 points with a welcome 2-0 derby victory over Walsall to end their hoodoo of one league win over the Saddlers in a quarter of a century.

Goals from Alex Rodman and Abu Ogogo helped Town put more daylight between themselves and third-placed Wigan, who drew with Scunthorpe.

And Hurst, who has studdied tallies that have sealed a top six spot in previous seasons, believes another win and draw will seal the deal – but says Shrewsbury are aiming higher still.

"We're only a win and a draw away," said the boss, whose side won their first home league game in four on their way to a third straight clean sheet in all competitions. "That's not definitive of course, that's not the sole target by any stretch of the imagination.

"But it's small steps. Getting over to 70 points is a great return already, but with 11 games left and 33 points to play for – that's a hell of a lot of points. We've got to keep pushing.

"Don't get me wrong. I'd like to stay in contention for those top spots as much as possible but there's nothing wrong with having a target that some people might feel is almost guarenteed.

"It's far from that in my eyes so we've got to keep demanding of the players and make sure all the fantastic work they've done so far is continued.

"Every time anyone asks me if I'm pinching myself – of course!"

Hurst pointed to his side's goals against record, just 26 goals shipped – second only to Wigan – and the players' work rate as key factors in high-flying Town's success.

He added: "But it's the effort of the players. If you look at our defensive record, second best in the league, that only happens if you've got a team willing to work.

"That sounds so simple, every manages says they want it, but for a group to do it game in, game out and day in, day out on the training ground as well, you've got to be strong mentally and have the right characters.

"It will always give us something of a chance."