Shrewsbury Town boss Sam Ricketts calls for more of the same after impressive Stoke City display

Town came within 12 minutes of a memorable FA Cup scalp after Ollie Norburn’s penalty but England international Peter Crouch, off the bench, netted late on.

Ricketts’ men would have deserved a 1-0 win but will do battle again at the Bet365 Stadium next Tuesday. And the pleased Shrewsbury manager believes his side are now showing performance levels he expects more often than not.

“It should do (inspire confidence). The level of performance and consistency is what will be key,” said Ricketts, who has drawn four, won one and lost two of his first seven games.

“We’re hitting that now more regularly than not. It’s been very good.

“If we get consistent then we’ll add another layer to what we want to do and continue the improving process.”

Under-fire Potters boss Gary Rowett fielded a side of eight full internationals at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

But Shrewsbury matched their high-profile visitors.

“That was my opening point in the dressing room,” continued the boss. “You’re hitting standards now that I expect to be hit.

“Coventry home, Sunderland away and we’ve hit it again. We have to do that more times than not. Then we won’t be too far away in any game, if we play like that.

“Some players’ performances were outstanding.”

Just over 7,500 watched Town secure themselves a place in tonight’s draw for the fourth round – a place they have only been four times since 1990.

Ricketts believes fans are seeing the right attitude from his players.

“The crowd were excellent again,” he said. “Hopefully what the fans are seeing is a team that will really dig in and give their best.

“We’re not always going to be perfect, players will make mistakes, but when they see the effort and hunger from the players, they forgive that.

“When they drive the players on they are second to none and really vital in helping us get these results, albeit I’d be far happier if we’d actually won.”