“He’s a class act” - Gavin Cowan excited for clash with ex Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon

Mellon has overseen six promotions as a manager at several clubs, including leading Shrewsbury Town to League One in the 2014/15 season.

That was a memorable year for Town, and now the 54-year-old is guiding Oldham Athletic on a late push for the play-offs, currently sitting three points off the final spot.

Before his spell at Shrewsbury, Mellon managed Fleetwood Town, whom he also led to promotion.

It was there in 2010 that current Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan featured under Mellon after leaving AFC Telford United, before later moving on to Gainsborough Trinity.

Now embarking on his own managerial journey, Cowan has enjoyed promotion success himself, most notably guiding Brackley Town to the National League, and previously coming close with AFC Telford United.

Cowan has since led his hometown club, Shrewsbury - where he also played - clear of danger. By 5pm tomorrow, he, his staff, players and supporters could be celebrating the club officially securing its Football League status.

They face a tough test against an Oldham side chasing the play-off places, but after showing quality despite defeat to League Two leaders Bromley in midweek, Salop will be determined to get the job done and finish the season strongly.

Boss Cowan said: “I know Micky really well, having played under him. He's a real class act.

“His teams will always be efficient. They'll always have levels of quality. He will always make players better and make a team better.

“That's something that I'm working really hard on at the moment. Hopefully we can be better than them on Saturday.”

Asked if it will be nice to share the touchline with Mellon, Cowan added: “Absolutely, yes.

“He's been good to me. He's sent me a few players while I was in my previous role.

“He's always on the other end of the phone if I've ever needed anything, for a bit of advice on players and stuff.

“He's been good - it'll be good to see him. But it'll also be good to beat him.”

Tomorrow’s clash also marks the penultimate home game of the season, and Shrewsbury will look to replicate the attacking intent they showed last time out on home soil against Tranmere Rovers.

Tom Anderson impressed Cowan with a battling performance at Bromley in place of Will Boyle, so it remains to be seen whether Boyle returns straight to the starting line-up - and, if so, who would make way.

Meanwhile, both Nick Freeman and Temple Ojinnaka were withdrawn midway through the second half in south London.

Cowan praised the impact of substitutes Sam Clucas, Taylor Perry and Isaac England, who could now be in contention to start, as Salop suffered a narrow defeat to the league leaders.

Asked if there were positives to take, Cowan said: “From the first half an hour, yes. After that, I feel like we need to be more efficient.

“We need to show more quality. I think that just the players have shown that they can do it.

“If we can believe something and really trust in what we're trying to do and what we're working on all week, then like you see in the first half an hour, you see it come to fruition.”