“Chance to prove some people wrong” - Shrewsbury Town eye statement win in trip to League Two leaders

Shrewsbury have won half of their games under Gavin Cowan, who has overseen a remarkable resurgence. Now they have the opportunity to secure a statement victory against the League Two leaders.

However, they travel without significant pressure. Town’s clash with Tranmere last Friday was the key fixture over the Easter period - and they delivered.

While Salop have struggled for goals in recent weeks, Sam Stubbs is enjoying something of a purple patch by his standards.

The defender has scored Town’s last two goals - his only ones of the season - with his header against Tranmere ending Salop’s goal drought since his winner at Chesterfield.

He will look to continue that run as he targets an upset in the capital, insisting the job of securing survival is not yet complete, despite the progress made.

“If you can get a couple more wins or a few more draws and a couple of wins, you probably finish towards mid-table and everything's forgotten,” he said.

“But until you do that, until we go and win them games, it's obviously not over.”

Tonight’s match was moved from its original Easter Monday 3pm slot after being selected for television coverage, and Stubbs is relishing the occasion.

“It's always nice,” the defender added. “I'm excited because it's the top of the league, we’ve got a chance to go and prove some people wrong.”

The fixture marks Shrewsbury’s first ever Football League visit to Bromley. The reverse fixture - the opening game of the season in August - finished 0-0.

Salop could officially secure their safety at Bromley. Town hold an 11-point advantage over the bottom two, currently occupied by Barrow and Harrogate. A win would extend that gap to 14 points.

Barrow could still mathematically catch Shrewsbury. However, Newport and Harrogate have both played 42 matches and have a maximum of 12 points left to play for. That means Harrogate can reach a maximum of 45 points and Newport 46. If Town win at Bromley and move to 47 points, their safety would be guaranteed.

Two players who have impressed since arriving in the January transfer window are Brentford loanees Iwan Morgan and Matt Cox.

Morgan has primarily featured up front since joining, but operated in a number 10 role behind Bradley Ihionvien and John Marquis against Tranmere.

Asked about his position, Cowan said: “He is a 10. He's been playing in the front line just because we wanted him to drop down on the opposite side of the pitch. But that's his position.

“We just need him to be a bit more reliable without the ball, which I thought he did really well. Him and Bradley, actually.

“They were led brilliantly by John Marquis. I thought he came in and just did an incredible job.

“It's a position that he knows well.”

Meanwhile, Matt Cox produced several crucial saves, including a close-range stop in the second half.

Cowan said Cox embodied everything he asks of his Salop players - a willingness to get hurt and get stuck in.

“I'm sure my heart's slowing down a little bit now,” the Town boss admitted at full-time.

“I'm not sure how much Coxy knew about. But he took it full on in the face and he was willing to get hurt.

“He's willing to spread himself and that's what goalkeepers do. That's a skill in itself. So, I'm really proud of him.”