Town high-fliers waiting to click

Shrewsbury 2 - Accrington Stanley 0 at Oteley Road

Shrewsbury Town's growing band of supporters today find themselves in a rare and enviable position. Just which way do they turn to find their most justified cause for optimism?

Does it come in the form of four victories from six League outings which leaves them handily placed in third in the table and just one point behind trail-blazing Darlington?

Or will they take even greater encouragement from the fact all of the above has been achieved with the strong belief that there is still plenty more in the Town tank?

Once again, there were relatively few scares in seeing off 10-man Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Stuart Nicholson's third minute strike helping to ease any anxiety.

And yet, once again, the general consensus was that Town's display remained short of the lofty expectations Gary Peters' squad are carrying with them this season.

The improved ball retention Shrewsbury are striving for remains very much a work in progress, while the killer instinct which separates successful sides from the also-rans also requires a little tinkering.

Yes, Town are currently solid, dependable and functional rather than carving out victories with any amount of flair, swagger and style.

But while they continue to amass maximum points at this rate of knots, there will be few questions coming from the plush surroundings of Oteley Road.

And the signs are that word of Shrewsbury's exciting start is spreading fast.

Once again, the attendance was approaching 6,000 on Saturday - made all the more impressive by the fact Accrington's travelling contingent tallied up to just 119.

These are exhilarating times to follow Shropshire's premier club - and no doubt one of the star attractions is a player who is, quite possibly, emerging as one of the jewels in the League Two crown.

In Marc Pugh, Shrewsbury have a winger capable of single-handedly changing a game with his slick skills and penetrating pace, combining with no shortage of confidence, to create a lethal weapon to unleash.

Opposition teams are now frantically attempting to find legal ways to halt the tricky winger, and Accrington certainly tried fair means and foul - earning two yellow cards - they collected five in total - and one red in attempting to prevent Pugh causing further problems.

They certainly weren't helped by some over-zealous officiating from card-happy referee Andy Hall, who notably made mistake in dismissing Accrington midfielder James Harris shortly after half-time when his tackle from behind on the former Bury winger appeared worthy of a caution rather than the red.

But, even by that stage, Pugh had made a telling impact, providing the low cross for Nicholson to bundle home his first senior Town goal

Pugh was also to play a significant part in the second, again running destructively at right-back Peter Cavanagh and forcing the Stanley skipper into a rash challenge in the penalty area, allowing Dave Hibbert to net his fifth of the season from the penalty spot.

Hibbert was earlier guilty of of missing a glorious opportunity, striking the post in a one-on-one effort after a Cavanagh slip, while new father David Hunt sliced wide with the target at his mercy after another sublime Pugh run.

That, quite rightly, suggests Shrewsbury could and should have scored more.

But credit too must be given to Accrington for their refusal to throw in the towel and sticking to their principles despite the numerical advantage.

And had Mark Roberts headed on target with two efforts during the first half, who knows how an Accrington leveller would have affected the outcome.

Town's inability to take full advantage of their opposition's 10 men and add to their goal tally left a few natives slightly disappointed, but Shrewsbury are currently doing enough to keep the three points rolling. And, ultimately, that is all that matters.

By James Garrison

MATCH DETAILS:

Shrewsbury: Garner, Moss, Langmead, Murdock (Kempson 28), Tierney, Herd, Hunt, Drummond, Pugh, Nicholson, Hibbert Subs: Symes, Hall, Esson, Humphrey

Accrington: Arthur, Canvanagh, Williams, Roberts, Branch, Brown, Proctor, Harris, Miles, D'Sane, Mullin. Subs : Richardson, Whalley, Boco, Webb, Dunbavin

Referee: A Hall (West Midlands)

Attendance: 5, 789 (119 from Accrington)

Bookings: Shrewsbury: Langmead (26) - Trip on Brown on the edge of the box. Accrington: Proctor (13) - A late challenge on Hibbert, Cavanagh (18) - A blatant shoulder charge on Pugh, Mullin (45) - A late lunge on Pugh, Whalley (67) - Mis-timed a tackle on Whalley, Brown (80) - Foul on Drummond.

Goal log 1-0 (Nicholson, 3) - Poked home from close range after Accrington failed to clear Puh's low cross. 2-0 (Hibbert, 51) - Sent Arthur the wrong way from the penalty spot after Cavangh tripped Pugh in the box.

FIRST REACTION:

New father David Hunt was delighted to put the finishing touches on a memorable week by helping Shrewsbury Town to three precious points against Accrington.

New daughter Bailey became Hunt's first child on Thursday afternoon. And, despite a whirlwind 48 hours, Hunt insisted he never had any doubts he would be able to take his place in the starting line-up.

"I always thought I would be able to play, but I wasn't sure how the gaffer (Gary Peters) would see it.

"But he has been absolutely brilliant with me. He has given me advice on a lot of things. I haven't had any sleepless nights yet, but I will let you know in a week's time!"

Hunt revealed the Town players were still not wholly satisfied with the performance - despite adding another three points to their collection.

"The lads aren't really celebrating in the dressing room but they are saying we could have done this better or that better," he added.

"The early goal doesn't always help us because you can sit back, but we got the penalty in the second half which was pleasing. "I'm sure we can play a lot better but we are winning games and that's the main thing."

PLAYER RATINGS:

Glyn Garner: Another clean sheet on an afternoon when the Welshman was forced into only a couple of routine saves. By his own high standards, one or two crosses threatened to squirm away - but was rarely troubled.

Darren Moss: A no-nonsense showing from the right back who is offering left wingers little change from their early season encounters. Strong in the tackle and got forward to support Herd.

Colin Murdock: Appeared a little off the pace in the early stages and one or two clearances lacked any conviction or power. The reason became clear on 28 minutes when Murdock withdrew with affects of an overnight stomach bug still lingering.

Kelvin Langmead: Does the defender ever produce a shoddy display? Made three or four vital interceptions from dangerous crosses and last season's unanimous player of the season is already looking one of Shrewsbury's most reliable performers this term.

Marc Tierney: Unconvincing first half display from the left-back whose place will come under pressure from the fit again Neil Ashton. Allowed Accrington space as he got dragged out of position but recovered to produce a stronger second half showing.

Ben Herd: Saw plenty of the ball in advanced areas, although a few of his deliveries would have left him disappointed. Put in a defensive shift when required before being replaced by Hall late on.

David Hunt: A whirlwind 48 hours for the new father was capped with a busy midfield display. A little looser in possession than we have become used to and should have done better with his second half shot from 12 yards with the goal an inviting target.

Stewart Drummond: A typically tidy display which helped to keep Shrewsbury ticking. Limited the impact of Proctor and Harris, even if he didn't have too much of an attacking impact.

Marc Pugh: Simply outstanding. Got the assist for the first goal, won the penalty for the second and produced the run which led to the dismissal of Harris. A fine display where he was a threat all afternoon and Accrington simply had no answer.

Stuart Nicholson: Couldn't have had a better start as he produced a poacher's finish to give Shrewsbury a third-minute lead. Chased hard throughout but didn't see enough of the ball to make a real impact after that.

Dave Hibbert: Hit the post after Cavanagh slipped in the first half, but atoned by slotting home a penalty. Showed another side to his game by winning plenty of aerial battles.

SUBSTITUTES:

Darran Kempson: Slotted in to replace Murdock when the defender was forced into his early withdrawal. Dealt with the problems which came his way with a steady showing.

Danny Hall: Given the chance to slot in on the right side of midfield late on, but didn't truly settle to the pace of the game and was a little sloppy in possession.

Michael Symes: Wasted one excellent chance when he hit his shot from 18 yards straight at Arthur.