Dave Edwards: Full credit to professional Shrewsbury avoiding FA Cup slip-up as building blocks continue

Add in the early kick-off factor in front of the TV cameras looking for an upset and it would not be easy.

I read interviews with Michael Appleton beforehand where he was trying to dumb it down - suggesting maybe Town are the underdogs, but that was never the case. It would have been disastrous to lose that FA Cup first round tie.

It was a tough match but improving Shrewsbury gave a very professional performance where they were clinical in the right moments.

South Shields helped them to an extent because they were a very open team that tried to play passing football and were expansive. So when Town did win the ball they were well organised. The strategy about acting when they won the ball back worked really well for Town.

They attacked as quickly as possible with the pace of Scully and McDermott on those transitions and they were deadly.

Anthony Scully was the standout player and it's great to see him get fitter and sharper with every game. I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner for him because he went a long time without playing.

I've played against him before and I know what a terrific player he is. He is moving up towards those levels and will only get better so that is more encouraging.

Sang did well in midfield and there were other good performers out there including Kabia, out of position at right wing-back. He was very good and is always an outlet.

It was a big win for Town to build on that really impressive October and £50,000 or so in the kitty always helps. We know the club is up for sale and funds in the short-term are welcome.

With the potential of a sale, getting to the second and hopefully third round of the Cup are all important to help the situation with more money in the bank and eyes on the club. Hopefully Town get a kind home draw.

I want to also congratulate former Town defender and a good friend of mine Gavin Cowan for leading Brackley Town to a penalty shootout success over Notts County.

I went to Brackley with my son, as well as Gav's and assistant boss Jamie Haynes' son too. We were behind the goal in a brilliant atmosphere. Good luck to them.

Shrewsbury have undoubtedly made progress but it is building blocks.

It's been a really good turnaround over the last four or five weeks - but they have got to continue to do that.

The club has been suffering so much momentum against them in recent years. While they have made this turnaround, it can quickly be pushed back if it had been defeat at South Shields and away to Crewe this Saturday. All of a sudden it becomes hard again for the players. It is still very tight down there either way.

It is just a case of trying to keep getting this momentum moving the right way. Crewe away is a tough game, they are going well on the fringes of the play-offs and a point would be good over there.