Shaun Rowley following in past Shrewsbury Town shot stoppers' footsteps

Shaun Rowley joined Chorley in October following a season-ending injury to first choice goalkeeper Sam Ashton.

And Magpies assistant manager Jamie Vermiglio has paid tribute to the efforts of the on-loan shot-stopper.

The 20-year old went straight into the side for the away game at Alfreton Town and, despite conceding two goals, he has gone on to impress since.

Vermiglio said of Rowley: "Sam has been an important part of our team for a few years now, both on and off the pitch, and we were looking around to try and get a decent keeper in on a short term loan and thankfully Shrewsbury Town were able to help us out with Shaun.

"He came in and we didn't know too much about him. We did as much research as we could and I spoke to a lot of people and he came with a number of good reviews and he has lived up to it.

"He has got strong hands; he is a good talker and is only young. Overall he should be pleased with himself, he has kept a few clean sheets."

The former Market Drayton Town loanee had big gloves to fill as first choice keeper Ashton had already kept 10 clean sheets this season including one at the New Bucks Head, home of Telford United in mid-September as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw.

This season, Chorley is built on a strong defence despite an injury crisis to hit the Magpies defence which has seen injuries to captain Andy Teague as well as Kieran Charnock and Matt Challoner.

Vermiglio said: "We have set ourselves up to keep clean sheets and we have picked up a few. By the end of the season, we have set ourselves to try and get to around about the 20 number so Shaun has continued with that and he has also got a solid defence in front of him and a hard working team.

"I think you will find if you speak to Shaun about it, he will give us a lot of compliments with how we set up and he hasn't really been tested that much."

Rowley is set to be with the Magpies until just after the New Year when his loan deal expires and it's unlikely that despite his excellent performances his deal will be renewed.

Vermiglio said: "We have plans to get a different keeper in.

"Shaun lives quite far away and to get him into training all the time and to get him to be around the lads every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday is difficult.

"We are a team that likes to create team spirit and positive ethos and all that kind of stuff. With Shaun travelling, it's difficult for him.

"So we are in the process of sorting something out with a goalkeeper."