Stockport v Shrewsbury: Gareth Ainsworth previews Town's trip to Edgeley Park

Gareth Ainsworth's side occupy that spot courtesy of a last-gasp defeat on Saturday at Charlton - they are now seven points from safety but with a game in hand on 20th-placed Northampton. 

This tough January keeps coming for Ainsworth and his team. Stockport, who were only promoted to League One last season, sit fifth in the third tier of English football. 

In their last two games, Dave Challinor's men have beaten Salop's relegation rivals Crawley Town and Reading, and they will be looking to make it three consecutive wins when the two teams meet at Edgeley Park. 

Ainsworth was without Aaron Pierre at The Valley on Saturday. He had suffered a hamstring injury in Town's famous cross-border derby win against Wrexham. 

It was touch and go whether the 31-year-old would make the trip to south London, but eventually, Town decided not to take a risk with him - Toto Nsiala deputised in his absence. 

The situation with Pierre's fitness remains unchanged - Salop closely monitoring him. 

Saturday's game was brutal defeat by the very nature of it coming with such a late goal by Thierry Small. Shrewsbury's results have picked up since Ainsworth was appointed as Salop's head coach, but they are still chasing that elusive first away win under him. 

Their home form has been excellent. They have won three, lost two and drawn one. But away from the Croud Meadow, they have drawn twice and lost the other three matches. 

The Town boss is an experienced man, and he says their failure to produce a win on the road is not putting any further pressure on him. 

"It will come," he said. "I don't feel any pressure at all. That's the way I live, and I manage.

"I don't feel the pressure. I let the boys get out there and do their business.

"If I'm wrong, then I've been lucky. I've stayed in football for 34 years, so there must be something right in that.

"I just get out there, get my job done and I'll set the boys up and pick a team that I believe will be good enough to get the points on the night."

"Listen, Dave Challinor is a great manager and a good friend of mine. He is going to go on and do super things. 

"Stockport took him out of Hartlepool a few years ago, and it has paid dividends. They have got resources, they have got money. 

"But I believe we can get something away tomorrow night."

Salop will be looking for revenge from the return fixture earlier in the season after Stockport beat them 2-0 at the Croud Meadow. 

Ethan Pye scored just before half-time, and Kyle Wootton scored in the 86th minute of the clash to see Challinor's side leave with the points. 

They did have one of the brightest young talents in the division in Louie Barry. He has since been recalled by Aston Villa and is set to sign for Championship side Hull.

After the trip to Greater Manchester Shrewsbury are back in Shropshire where they welcome Mansfield.