Skipper pleased with win over Stags but still has soft spot for his old club
Shrewsbury Town captain Liam Lawrence says winning six league games in a row is a credit to everyone at the club.
Saturday's 2-0 win over Mansfield at the Greenhous Meadow added to victories against Cheltenham, York, Bury, Portsmouth and Dagenham and Redbridge in recent weeks.
Saturday's 2-0 win over Mansfield at the Greenhous Meadow added to victories against Cheltenham, York, Bury, Portsmouth and Dagenham and Redbridge in recent weeks.
"It's a real achievement at any level to win that amount of games," he said.
"It's promotion form and that's what we're aiming for.
"The squad is looking good, we've got a good manager, chairman and coaching staff. Mike Jackson is very tactically aware.
"I said when I came in during pre-season that we've got a great set of lads and that's what has given us a chance."
"It's promotion form and that's what we're aiming for.
"The squad is looking good, we've got a good manager, chairman and coaching staff. Mike Jackson is very tactically aware.
"I said when I came in during pre-season that we've got a great set of lads and that's what has given us a chance."
The win leaves Town second in the table, just a point off leaders Luton, and it maintained their excellent run of home form where Shrewsbury have won 10 out of 12 league and cup games this season.
For ex-Mansfield player Lawrence, the club where he began his career, it was a special afternoon.
"I'm just glad we won," he said.
"Playing for Shrewsbury I want to win every game and go as far up the league as we can but unfortunately it was against Mansfield.
"Their fans were brilliant and the reception I received at the end was touching.
"The club still means a lot to me, they gave me a start and education in football. I'm very happy to be associated with them."
"Playing for Shrewsbury I want to win every game and go as far up the league as we can but unfortunately it was against Mansfield.
"Their fans were brilliant and the reception I received at the end was touching.
"The club still means a lot to me, they gave me a start and education in football. I'm very happy to be associated with them."
The Stags cause wasn't helped by the first half dismissal of Jamie McGuire and Shrewsbury had to be patient to make their extra man count when Bobby Grant rifled in a bullet of a goal just short of the hour mark.
Top-scorer James Collins then netted his 8th of the season to seal a deserved three points.
Top-scorer James Collins then netted his 8th of the season to seal a deserved three points.
"It was always going to be a difficult game with the way they came to play and match us up," said Lawrence.
"We had to grind it out, keep going and hope our fans weren't going to get too discruntled after an hour.
"We had to be patient. As we proved against Dagenham when we went down to 10 men, sometimes it's not as easy as people think.
"They got men behind the ball and when I looked up there were 10 Mansfield players in front of me, it was hard work.
"We had to grind it out, keep going and hope our fans weren't going to get too discruntled after an hour.
"We had to be patient. As we proved against Dagenham when we went down to 10 men, sometimes it's not as easy as people think.
"They got men behind the ball and when I looked up there were 10 Mansfield players in front of me, it was hard work.
"Bobby's goal was fantastic. Jack Grimmer has done brilliantly to lay it back and he's had a fantastic game, he's a really exciting talent. It was a thunderbolt and Bobby has brought real quality to the squad.
"There's good competition in those areas with Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Scott Vernon who is probably one of the best finishers at the club. As long as we keep it tight at the back, we know we can score."
"The strikers are in there for a reason and there was no messing - straight into the net.
"The finish from James was very good. It was a case of right place, right time like Andy Mangan against Chelsea.
"The strikers are in there for a reason and there was no messing - straight into the net.
"The finish from James was very good. It was a case of right place, right time like Andy Mangan against Chelsea.
After struggling to get a run of games at the start of the season, Lawrence has started the last four games for Town.
"It's brilliant to be getting a run of matches," he said. "I love football, I'm human and even at my age I just want to play and train every day. I'm glad to be back in the team and hopefully I can keep my place."
Attention now switches back to the FA Cup with Walsall the visitors on Tuesday evening after the two sides drew 2-2.
"People have said Walsall have beaten us too many times down the years so we want to beat them on Tuesday, that's for sure," he said.