Mickey Demetriou hailed Saturday's victory at Newport County a "brilliant win"
Defender Mickey Demetriou hailed Saturday's victory at Newport County a "brilliant win" as Shrewsbury moved back to the top of League 2.In a tight affair played in windy conditions, substitute Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro notched a late winner - his 6th goal of the season - to inflict a 1st home defeat on Newport since the opening day of the season.
"It was a brilliant win and a tough one too," said Demetriou, who again caught the eye at left wing back. "The wind played a part in the first half and they used it well by putting balls in behind and holding it up. We struggled to play our own game because of the wind but we fought and the gaffer told us at half time to keep going, keep working hard because we'll get a goal. Jean-Louis has come on and credit to him, he created something out of nothing and got us the 3 points.
"We knew it was going to be physical. They're a big side. We've watched videos and they use their power and long throws well."
After some impressive footballing displays this season, Demetriou says the result and performance at Rodney Parade shows Shrewsbury can mix up their game when needed.
"Like ourselves, they've got a good home record so to go to Newport and win proves that we can play football and dig in as-well," he said. "As long as we can continue to do that over the remaining game, we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."
The only sour point of the afternoon came in stoppage time at the end of the game when recent signing Keith Southern was sent off for a late tackle shortly after coming on as a sub.
"At that late stage of the game he might have got away with it," said Demetriou. "We'll have another look at it and if it's wrong I'm sure they'll appeal against it. I can see where the referee is coming from but it wasn't malicious. We can't dwell on it and it's all about looking ahead to a massive game against Southend next Saturday."
The match against Phil Brown's side is another against one Town's promotion rivals and will be a test for their unbeaten league home run this season. Shrewsbury will also be looking to keep what would be their 20th clean sheet in all competitions.
"That's what we work hard for on the training ground and all credit to us," said Demetriou. "We're working hard as a unit and as long as we can get a goal at some point during the game we know we're going to win."