Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst delighted with Stefan Payne following win

Payne had missed a presentable first half opening in a dull first 45 minutes at Montgomery Waters Meadow before then heading at keeper George Long shortly after half-time.

But Town's top scorer persisted to bury the winner nine minutes into the second period. Hurst's side defended resolutely and managed the game meaning only one goal was needed to send them back to the top of League One.

Shrewsbury had midfielder Bryn Morris sent off late on for two bookable offences, a tough punishment for Town who see Morris added to Abu Ogogo and Ben Godfrey as unavailable options.

Hurst said: "He (Payne) had just missed a chance prior to that and I could tell he was just beating himself up a little bit.

"I shouted on saying 'that's gone, get the next one'.

"That very rarely happens but it did today. Credit to him, we'd had a good chance before that too with Carlton.

"That was the start of a second half where we were more on the front foot, more positive.

"We were a little bit tentative in the first half. One or two passes were stray, other times taking that extra touch.

"It wasn't the free-flowing football. But at least we played with more tempo and got the goal which proved all important.

"Apart from naturally fearing the worst at times overall we saw the game out well. Credit to the players, there are some that haven't been on the pitch recently, even if they are only brief cameos.

"They still contribute and I'm delighted. It's credit to the whole group."

Hurst felt his side did enough as they made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions despite playing near their free-flowing best.

Goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray, coming in for England under-21 star Dean Henderson, kept a clean sheet.

"It wasn't pretty," Hurst added. "We all understand there are reasons for that. But the most important thing is we won the game, with another clean sheet.

"I was pleased for Craig to come in and do that. He made one good save early on and then some good handling later.

"Thankfully he wasn't too busy on the day. And it might not have been for too long but to see it through with 10 men too, much credit to the players for another big effort."

Hurst did not agree with the decision five minutes from time to issue Morris with a second yellow card.

He added: "I think the first one I agree. The second one is a foul, I'm not disputing that, but me and Neal (Ardley) are of a similar opinion that it got to a point where every foul seemed to be a booking.

"I'm not saying that because I'm biased. They looked at me as if to say it wasn't a sending off. That's how it felt it was going."