Gaffer reacts to Pompey win
Shrewsbury Town Boss Paul Hurst praised his player’s efforts as they held-on for a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
Town took a first-half lead through James Bolton, but the second-half was a different story as Portsmouth came forward in waves.
“I quite liked the manner in which we won”, Paul told the Press.
“It’s great if you can win more comfortably, but I just feel like there’s been a few doubters and to come here, a big club, a club with its own ambitions of getting in the play-offs, and to keep another clean-sheet against them was big.
“We had to defend a lot in the second-half. They have very good deliveries from set-plays and they are a big side, but we defended it well. We had a little bit of luck when they hit the bar but I felt we always carried a threat as well.
“I thought we might get a second when they were throwing men forward and that’s the importance of getting yourself in front. I’m delighted. It’s a great afternoon for us and for the travelling fans who make that long journey home.”
Bolton’s goal was his first in a Shrewsbury shirt and Paul felt it was long overdue.
“You can tell he doesn’t score many, he didn’t have a clue what to do once he had scored”, smiled Hurst.
“It’s about time in truth. He’s always up there and he’s had chances and today it’s gone in. He thinks he’s turned his foot on it, I think its hit him, but what I would say is that Shaun’s put a great ball in and if you do that it doesn’t matter how tall you are, it’s always difficult to defend and that got us off to a great start.”
The result also saw Town keep yet another clean-sheet and Hurst was full of praise for his goalkeeper, Craig MacGillivray.
“I have to give credit to Craig MacGillivray”, said Paul.
“There was a lot of fuss about Dean not being able to play and I sort of understand why, but I’ve said all along that we’ve got another ‘keeper there that’s very capable.
“He made one save first-half that’s straight at him and second-half I think he’s made a couple of saves you’ve expect him to make, but he’s made them.
“He had to withstand a lot of difficult balls in the box and bodies around him, so he can be pleased with his afternoon’s work as well.”