This will not be the end of us, insists Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst

Town fell to a 1-0 Checkatrade Trophy loss against the Imps to make it four defeats from four at the national stadium in their history.

Hurst’s side are third in League One and, while battling for an automatic promotion spot with Wigan and Blackburn, could find themselves fighting for Wembley play-off glory later this season.

Shrewsbury face a quick turnaround and return to league action with a televised clash at Bradford’s Valley Parade on Thursday night.

“You look at the magnitude of the game, the atmosphere, and I feel like you are always learning about your players,” said Hurst, who felt some of his side struggled to handle the Wembley occasion.

“In terms of moving forward, I don’t think it should affect us. If anything, it should drive us to succeed and be the ones who walk those steps or celebrate in a different manner.

“It’s been and gone. We have not lost any points in terms of the league and we have a game on Thursday at Bradford.

“It is on TV again. I’m pleased about that because if we are going to feel sorry for ourselves – national TV is not the place to do it.

“I’m hoping that we will get a reaction and show people we are a better team than we showed at Wembley.”

Hurst believes that his side’s feel for the Wembley occasion, despite defeat, will bode well for a potential return. The boss has challenged his side to overcome yet more doubters that will suggest they have collapsed after the defeat against a League Two side.

And he wants his players to become more comfortable in the big games that lie ahead this season.

Hurst, who had his players back in training today, continued: “Overall you are going to be in big games, whether it’s at someone else’s ground, our own ground or Wembley.

“Each time you play somewhere you are a little bit more used to it.

“I don’t think it can have a negative effect.

“When you do them for the first time you might be a little bit scared, a little bit intimidated a little bit excited – all of those things.

“Naturally as you do things again, you’ll feel more comfortable in the situation.

“But I hope we can try and prove people wrong because, again, losing to a League Two side will come with some negatives.”