Shrewsbury Town set to sign Andy Mangan

Manager Mellon was pleased with his new-look side as they hit back to draw 2-2 with Championship club Watford in an entertaining Greenhous Meadow friendly on Saturday.

Vernon came off the bench to score twice in the final eight minutes and Mellon was impressed with the 30-year-old striker who also scored in last Tuesday's clash against Premier League West Bromwich Albion.

Mellon said: "The quality of the goals were absolutely exceptional. We've got some very good footballers and it's exciting times.

"Scott's a big player. He was brought here because we thought he was quality, but a lot of other people gave really good performances."

Vernon insisted he's delighted with the start he has enjoyed to his Town career with three goals in the last two games against higher league opposition.

He said: "I'll just play the way I play and hopefully there's a lot more to come. I've always scored goals through my career and there's no reason why it should stop now as long as I keep working hard."

Mellon is now closing in on Forest Green Rovers striker Mangan, 27, a player he knows well as the Liverpudlian was part of the Fleetwood squad he led into the Football League.

Mangan counts Blackpool, Accrington Stanley, Bury and Wrexham as his former clubs.

"There's no secret that he's the lad we're trying to bring in," said Mellon. "He's a lad that I know very well and he's a lad that I know what will bring to the group both on and off the pitch.

"He's got that instinct of getting you a goal as well. He can play anywhere across the front so he will be a great addition to what we're already doing.

"We have to be respectful as it's not absolutely done yet, but it pretty much is so we just have to wait for that to happen."