Coughlan aims to lift strike burden

Skipper Graham Coughlan today urged Shrewsbury Town to continue easing the scoring pressure on hitman Dave Hibbert by chipping in with vital goals all over the pitch.

Shrewsbury's sixth victory in eight games saw the rare feat of the defenders scoring all the goals, Coughlan, Kelvin Langmead and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff all finding the net in the 3-1 success over Hereford.

And Coughlan believes that scoring support is vital to 14-goal Hibbert, who is currently operating as a sole striker with Craig Disley in support.

"We were pleased with the goals on Saturday because it just takes a bit of the scoring pressure off Hibbo," said the 35-year-old.

"He has been running up top on his own and when you play one up front you see him more down the sides and away from the goal because he is doing a job for the team.

"It was nice to have three defenders on the scoresheet and I was very pleased with mine because the Hereford goal was my fault.

"Whether we were too high or I lost concentration I don't know, but it was a plain and simple hook on.

"I was relieved when we equalised and got ahead because I was a depressed man when that first goal went in."

Town's victory saw them cement their place in fifth and has helped them inch closer to the top three positions.

But Coughlan insists the hard work has only just started as Town begin to prepare for three promotion tussles against Bury, Rotherham and Bournemouth.

"We have given ourselves a chance and that's all we have done," he added.

"We are staying in the hunt but we all know football - one or two bad days and you are out of it.

"It's about confidence, momentum and the winning feeling and it's coming along alright at the minute.

"But the bad times aren't too far away if you take your foot off the pedal so we have to keep pressing because we have got three very big games coming up."

By JAMES GARRISON