Stewart Drummond has high final hopes for Shrewsbury Town

Drummond, now the head of youth at Morecambe, memorably headed Town into an early lead in the 2007 League Two play-off final at Wembley before Bristol Rovers hit back to win 3-1.

Mark Taylor, who fired a late consolation when Town 2-1 to Rotherham United in the 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield final, is the only other man to score for Shrewsbury at the iconic north London venue.

Town drew a blank in front of goal when they lost 1-0 to Gillingham in the 2009 League Two play-off final on the club’s most recent Wembley appearance.

Drummond watched Lincoln City, Town’s Checkatrade Trophy final opponents, pick up a League Two point from a goalless draw at Morecambe last month.

That result came during a run which has seen the Imps, well placed in sixth spot, claim 13 points from the last 15 available as they enjoy an impressive first season back in the Football League since 2011.

Drummond, who was a midfielder with a keen eye for goal during his playing days, retains good memories of his Town days.

He believes Paul Hurst’s side, currently second in League One, will go into Sunday’s clash as favourites as they look to make club history by becoming the first Shrewsbury team to win at Wembley at the fourth attempt.

“It’s a slightly different scenario now where Shrewsbury will be going into it as favourites and everyone will expect them to go there and win the game,” said Drummond, 42.

“It may well be a different type of game than Shrewsbury have come up against for the majority of the season, certainly different than the likes of Wigan and Blackburn to come up against Lincoln with their style of play.

“It will be a test for them no doubt having seen Lincoln play up here, but I think everyone attached to Shrewsbury will be disappointed if they don’t finally end the Wembley curse and get the win this time round.”

Having watched Lincoln recently, Drummond said: “They were very direct, a lot of runners off big Matt Rhead up front. They were a threat on set pieces, physical, strong, a fit team and worked hard.”

Drummond’s coaching role meant he was unable to make it to the Montgomery Waters Meadow when Town beat Morecambe in the FA Cup second round earlier this season.

But he’s happy to see the club he served between 2006-08 flourishing under Hurst.

Drummond said: “Shrewsbury are having a great season. Over the last 10 years they’ve been a bit of a yo-yo club where they’ve probably been too good for League Two but not quite good enough for League One, so I think it’s been great for them this season."

Casting his mind back 11 years, Drummond became the first man to score in a play-off final at the rebuilt Wembley when Town faced Rovers as he flicked home a header from Neil Ashton’s free kick.

But Richard Walker, who signed for Town later in the career, replied with a brace by half time before Sammy Igoe grabbed a late third for Rovers in front of a big crowd of 61,589, which remains a record for a League Two play-off final.

“It was unbelievable,” recalled Drummond of playing in front of so many fans. “It was quite surreal really because obviously we’re not used to playing in front of that many people, but when you’re down on the pitch, you obviously heard the noise and the roar, but as soon as the game kicks off you don’t even tend to notice it really. It’s quite a surreal experience, but a good one though."

He added: “Beating MK Dons in the semi-final and then the build up to the game, that's probably the best part really, getting through the semi-final and then you start planning for the final, the lead up to it, going to see Wembley before you play and having a walk round.

“Certainly for lower league players, it’s something you’re not likely to replicate on numerous occasions, or play at big stadiums all that often, so, yes, it’s one to remember.”

As for scoring a landmark goal at Wembley, he said: “It’s nice. It’s one of those things that you’ll always have attached to your name now.

“Ashy put the ball in and I was about 20 yards out. The keeper was scrambling, so, yes, it was good.”

But then Walker and strike partner Rickie Lambert, later to play for England, helped Rovers come out on top.

“Bristol weren’t bad to be fair and the two lads up front certainly made the difference for them,” he said. "It wasn’t quite to be on that occasion.”