Paul Hurst speaks honestly following Shrewsbury FA Cup exit

Shrewsbury Town head coach Paul Hurst has taken responsibility for his side's current predicament.

Salop find themselves second bottom of the League One table and they exited the FA Cup in the first round for the first time since 2013 after a 2-1 defeat to Salford. 

Mathew Lund opened the scoring, after just five minutes, but Salop responded through John Marquis. But Lund got his second of the afternoon, and what proved to be the winner, when his shot hit George Lloyd and went in to inflict further misery on Town. 

And Hurst says he has to take that on his shoulders, acknowledging that it was him that built the squad. "We've got to somehow pull through it and win games," the head coach said. 

"There's obviously been a few words in the dressing room there, but I take responsibility because I've put a group of players together.

 So, I've said maybe I've got it wrong."That's the question. Either I've got it wrong or they have to start proving that that's not the case. But that wasn't a performance that I think was worthy of winning the game, certainly."One of trying to give the fans something that they want and desperately want. 

Because, again, it was another really excellent turnout and we have not given them enough today. I think they've seen it certain games, I would like to think I am truthful about what I see, but that we need to be better." 

Speaking about the game, Hurst revealed he was not happy with the way his team started the clash.

He said: "Terrific following and we started the game extremely poorly. You heard me shout press, you heard the respect I have in terms of the competition, playing a team from a league below."Like I said, being on the other side of that, well, being on both sides, you have to be ready. 

"We didn't start well, so then that gives them a lift instantly. We get back in the game, and then we create a few things, but not playing in the way that I would have liked us to, in terms of things that we talked about and worked on. 

"And then go 2-1 down. Have a great chance straight away after as the keeper makes a save.

"Then second half, we started to have a little go, and then it kind of petered out a bit, and then towards the end, we're pushing, but the reality is you can't make life harder for yourself than it is.

"And an effort at the end to push is too late. So, extremely disappointed and not an enjoyable day in the slightest.

 "I think it's something at times it almost feels like we're not understanding the situation that we're finding ourselves in.

"We still seem to take too long in getting the ball back in play. Because the times that we did up it slightly, I think we looked like we could cause a problem. As I say, at the end, I think we are pushing."