Jamie Tolley: Beating Ainsworth would be the perfect finale for Shrewsbury Town

If football was a movie, we just wouldn’t know the script.

Ismeal Kabia struck an unbelievable screamer to earn a point in the final home game of the season, and it was a fitting way to end the home campaign.

Now the trip to Gillingham comes into focus. We’re facing former manager Gareth Ainsworth, who left in the circumstances that he did, and there’s the added incentive of potentially beating them and going above them in the table.

It’s all set up for a fairytale ending. I’m excited, I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m sure the staff will have the boys fired up.

I’ll be messaging them as well, saying: come on lads, one last push. I’d love to get three points over him. That would be brilliant - what a finale that would be.

It was almost the perfect ending at the Meadow last weekend, but it was great to see Salop come from behind.

The equaliser was a goal worthy of winning any game. It was an unbelievable strike from Ismeal Kabia to earn that late point.

If he tried it again, nine times out of 10 it probably wouldn’t come off. It was just one of those perfect connections that flew into the top corner - and all the fans got to witness it. It was brilliant.

Shrewsbury are finishing the season strongly. I always felt the management team wouldn’t let the lads slack off or drift away from the process they’ve put in place.

Even when you’re safe, it’s important to remain professional because there are always small things to play for. You can be a little more relaxed and enjoy your football, which is actually quite rare in the professional game.

You can go out there and really enjoy it, so it’s good to see that. But it’s also pleasing to see they’re still focused, still carrying out the job the staff are setting them.

That shows a really good attitude from the lads. It’s great to see them building a bit of momentum at home heading into next season.

Mal Benning played his final game at the Meadow, and his departure was one I probably expected.

But what a professional. To reach 500 league appearances - it doesn’t matter who you are, that is some achievement.

It speaks volumes about his professionalism and how he’s looked after himself both on and off the pitch. To rack up that number of games is remarkable, and it tells you everything about the kind of person he is.

I don’t know Mal personally, but everyone I’ve spoken to who does know him speaks incredibly highly of him.

There will be a number of other players who have also played their final game there, and of course we wish them all the best going forward.

That’s football - it’s part of the game, and everyone understands that.

It was also brilliant to see the future of Salop out on the pitch again, especially Isaac England getting minutes.

That’s a massive positive for the team and the staff heading into next season. It was great to see him out there, and I thought he did very well.

Will Gray also started again - another chance to impress, another opportunity to get used to Football League football.

For players like Isaac England, Will Gray, Isaac Lee and Will Brook, these appearances give them a real taste at the end of the season. It leaves them chomping at the bit going into pre-season.

It’s good that they’ve had that taster – now they’ll want the main course. Hopefully they can keep pushing on.

Will Brook is a really good goalkeeper. I’ve thought that since he arrived at the club. We were fortunate to bring him in the way we did, and he stepped straight into the team and performed well.

When he was left out for the FA Cup game against Wolves, I disagreed with that decision. I was frustrated, to be honest, because I know how those moments can affect a young player.

But it’s been great to see how he’s responded. He’s kept his head right, stayed strong mentally, and now he’s back in the side.

With a solid pre-season behind him, I fully expect him to be pushing hard for that number one spot next season.