Paul Hurst: Shrewsbury Town players can't be satisfied with third

The Montgomery Waters Meadow draw confirmed Wigan's promotion to the Championship but left Town, who took the lead through Abo Eisa's first Shrews goal, with one win in six.

The boss, who used an unfamiliar 3-4-3 system after leaving Jon Nolan and Shaun Whalley out for a deserved rest, says his side need to get ready for next month's play-offs after mathematically securing third.

And the boss added that supporters may have to become accustomed to seeing Hurst trialling new formations and personnel as Town finish their final three League One games.

"It's the points total," said Hurst. "It's a really good total and we're delighted with that. What we don't want to do is be satisfied with finishing third and that's it.

"We know we can't go any lower and realistically we're not going to go higher.

"That's it, we know where we're going to finish in the league, win, lose or draw the remaining games.

"But what we have got to do is get ready for the play-offs. That was part and parcel of today.

"There might be some things supporters don't like or see. I'm comfortable with that because I've got to see what I need to get in terms of systems and players to try and give us the best chance going into those games.

"It might not always be what we've been used to seeing. In terms of the press we've wanted to press deeper today."

Hurst thought the performance against Ryan Lowe's already-relegated Shakers was patchy. The hosts impressed in the first period as Eisa capped a memorable full Football League debut with a first goal.

But Town did not get going in the second period and the visitors snatched a deserved equaliser from a quick-thinking free-kick.

"(it was) Patchy. Some good play - there's a similar trend really," the boss added.

"In the first half there was some good football, maybe five minutes of the second half but after that it was far too slow.

"It is a warm day but it's the same for both sides. They seemed to cope with that. If anybody at the end was pushing then realistically it was them."

Eisa, 22, signed from non-league Wealdstone on January deadline day and won praise from the boss after just his third Town outing.

Hurst continued: "He had some good moments, he can be pleased. He's edged forward each performance with something better.

"It'll be a learning experience for him in the second half. They wanted to get a little bit tighter to him so it's understanding to look after the ball a little bit better."