“Didn’t want to make up the numbers” - Gavin Cowan’s honest assessment of Shrewsbury Town’s defeat to Bromley

Gavin Cowan challenged his Shrewsbury Town players to show “more of a winning mentality” after a narrow defeat to league leaders Bromley.

Salop missed the chance to mathematically secure their League Two safety as they suffered a 2-1 defeat in South London, where the hosts remain unbeaten in the league.

Bradley Ihionvien netted his first goal since returning from a lengthy spell out following surgery, but strikes from Marcus Ifill and Kyle Cameron turned the game around for Bromley.

Speaking after the match, Town boss Cowan felt his side had shown they are capable of getting results at places like Bromley - but questioned their mindset.

He said: “I just got a bit of a sense tonight that I feel like maybe there’s some in there that would come away, 2-1 against top of the league, and maybe that's acceptable.

“For me, it’s not. If people want to play at this football club next year, they need to show a little bit more bravery, a bit more courage. We need to have more of a winning mentality.

“I understand it's a really difficult place to come. It's a big ask, top of the league. I know where the lads were when we came in. So I understand it's a big ask.

“But we've moved forward. We've had some success. Before tonight, we won 50 per cent of our games.

“I don't know whether there's a culture around the place that if we just come here and we keep the score down or 2-1, it's not that bad.

“We've shown that we can beat very, very good teams, arguably teams that are slightly trickier than what it is tonight.”

Town remain 11 points clear of the relegation zone heading into their final four games of the season.

Bromley’s quality showed on the night as they moved seven points clear at the top of the table.

“They are transparent, excellent at what they do, but we've beat the Notts County’s of the world, the Swindon's, the Chesterfield's,” Cowan continued.

“If people want to play for the club next year, we're going to have to have more of a winning mentality.

“We didn't want to just come here and make up the numbers.

“As efficient as they were, we felt like, although we had a brilliant half an hour and there was nothing really in the game.

“If we'd have just brought in 10 per cent more quality, I feel like we could have certainly got something from the game, if not won it.”