Northampton v Shrewsbury: Progression and progress the aim as Salop look for life ahead of League Two basement battle

However, what it also offers is a chance to get straight back on the horse and get back to winning ways after their five match unbeaten run came to a flat end at Crewe on Saturday.

Salop head to Northampton Town on Tuesday evening knowing their task is simple if they want to progress to the next round of the competition.

Having beaten Chelsea under 21s earlier in the season - which was followed by a defeat against League Two rivals Walsall, Appleton's side know what anything other than a victory at Sixfields will not be good enough.

And that is what Appleton is drumming into his players ahead of the game.

He said: "The reality is, there are no grey areas with it, it is very much black and white, if we win we are though, if we lose we are out.

"Anything other than a win isn’t going to be good enough.

"I think that probably helps us and makes it a better scenario and situation for us.

"We need to go there and win the game, so we will have the attitude to do that."

The game gives Salop's players a chance to put right their display at Gresty Road on Saturday - with their manager accusing them of not doing the 'ugly side of the game' in the second period.

Their next league game comes in the form of a huge crunch clash at the foot of the League Two table on Saturday against Newport County, who are currently bottom of the league.

Rather than heading into that game, which could be crucial in the fight for League Two survival, on the back of a defeat - they have a chance to kick start some momentum again at Northampton.

And that is what Appleton is targeting, with the Salop boss describing the game as a 'bonus' - as he looks to get his side in the right shape for their basement battle on Saturday.

He added: "We have got to move on quick, you have got to move on quick. I think the game midweek, regardless of what happens, is a bonus because it is a little bit of one of them where you're not worried about the potentially losing three points.

"We’ve got an opportunity to progress in a competition that we want to progress in.

"So we move on quickly, and then, we make sure that our preparation for the Newport game is as good as it can be under the circumstances.

"We are back to a position where when you're playing against teams that are down there, similar to us, they're the ones that are massively important,

"If you beat them, and take care of them, they can't take points off teams elsewhere on the same day."

Appleton will also have the chance at Northampton to potentially rest key players ahead of the Newport County clash.

And it could be an opportunity to get minutes into fringe players, such as youngster Isaac England, club captain John Marquis and potentially number two goalkeeper Elyh Harrison.