Gavin Cowan: Shrewsbury Town have woken from ‘terrible nightmare’

Cowan has overseen a remarkable revival at Salop since arriving in late January, when they were just two points clear of the League Two relegation zone.

Victory over in-form Oldham Athletic last Saturday not only ensured safety with three games to spare, but also marked an eighth win in 16 matches under Cowan, taking his tally to 25 points since his arrival.

Reflecting on a now stress-free end to the season, Cowan said: “Maybe I can do it with a little bit more enjoyment now. I haven't enjoyed one minute of it.

“Maybe I can sort of sit back and try and enjoy the process now, because the thought of Shrewsbury Town not having Football League status is catastrophic to me.

“It's almost like a terrible nightmare and we've woken up from it now.

“I'm really proud that we can try and go and be the best versions of ourselves, which is the same in anything, in any walk of life.

“Regardless of the stakes, we want to make sure that we're the best version of ourselves, because we represent the football club.”

Will Boyle’s brilliant first-half header - his fourth goal of the season - secured back-to-back home wins by a single goal.

With three matches remaining, Town sit 14 points clear of the drop zone, underlining their incredible turnaround in recent months.

Cowan’s role at Salop marks his first managerial position in the Football League - and it has been an impressive start.

“It was a huge job - and to get 25 points and to do it on our terms with three games to go,” Cowan added.

“We felt like it was done before today. It would have taken something very crazy for it not to be the case.

“But to do it on our terms, the way we've done it, not scratching on the last day.”

Town have lost just three of their nine home games under Cowan, winning five. At full-time, he and the Shrewsbury squad paraded around the Croud Meadow, thanking supporters for their backing.

Asked how he would celebrate, Cowan said: “With my wife, she needs a bit of me time.

“We've got three games that we'll be really trying to finish the season well in. But my wife and my kids have had to sacrifice more than most.

“I quite like the quiet life, it’ll be nice just to chill out and start reflecting on a really good win. But make no mistake, we've got three games left.

“We'll have travelling supporters who will be paying a lot of money. We'll have people coming out here to see us against Fleetwood Town, so we want to make sure we are the best version of ourselves.”