Shrewsbury Town heading in right direction after Hereford win

Town took advantage of their promotion rivals not playing by picking up a valuable win in the A49 derby, writes Shrewsbury Town blogger James Pugh.

Up to fourth in the table and four points off top spot – Town are certainly heading in the right direction.

I have called for Town to improve their away form and for the strikers to score goals – and both requests were answered on Saturday in the comfortable 2-0 victory against Hereford.

• See more picture from Town's win in the derby

Town coped well without the suspended Morgan and injured Cansdell-Sherriff – in a performance backed by another terrific following of away fans.

January can often determine how a team will finish and Town seem to be hitting form at the right time and playing with confidence.

In transfer news midfielder Steve Leslie has left the club by mutual consent, while young striker Romaine Sawyers has joined on loan from West Brom.

I am not sorry to see Leslie go. He has never been anything better than a useful squad player who could play in a number of positions.

He has the ability and during his time with Town he showed glimpses of magic, but for some reason could never play consistently well.

Sawyers is an exciting player who is highly thought of at West Brom and he should help cover Morgan's suspension while bringing something different to the squad.

His arrival says something about the form of Bradshaw this season who seems to have taken a step back.

He has the ability and is still young, but he has been caught out in a few games this season for being too lightweight.

Hopefully he won't go the same way as players like Jamie Tolley, but will go on to fulfil his potential in the blue and amber.

Town will be looking to make it an impressive four wins in a row with victory over local rivals Port Vale on Saturday.

Mid-table Vale are still very much in the promotion hunt and have in their ranks the dangerous striker Marc Richards.

But Town have a fantastic home record and won the reverse fixture 3-2 in September.