Dave Edwards proud as Shrewsbury reward fans with third straight home win

Dave Edwards was delighted to reward Shrewsbury’s long-suffering fans after a 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Notts County.

The Shrews secured a third straight league win for the first time in three years thanks to Taylor Perry’s second-half winner — which put a dent in County’s promotion hopes.

It completed a perfect seven days in which head coach Gavin Cowan’s battlers secured nine points in front of their home faithful.

Cowan has secured 10 points during his five games in charge of the club and assistant Edwards, who served the club with distinction as a midfielder, said: “It’s a great win for us. I’m really pleased for them.

“I’m so proud of these players. They work so hard for the shirt.

“It’s been a great week for us. I’m glad we’ve been able to give the supporters those results because they’ve been through so much.

“It’s something for us to build on. The players have been fantastic taking on the messages we’ve given them since coming in.

“I knew I had to make us hard to beat and we’re showing that.

“Every credit has to go to the players. They’ve been fantastic.

“To go again after Saturday against Swindon, I’m really proud of them. I kept the same side and they repaid me.”

Magpies head coach Martin Paterson cut a frustrated figure after his side failed to fire themselves into the promotion places.

He said: “I think it’s an opportunity missed.

“I feel for the supporters in terms of the backing that we get. I think it’s easy when you miss opportunities to go down the negative route. I’ve always chosen to go down the honest route.

“I haven’t looked at the stats because my eyes see what my eyes see and I think (possession) will be up near 80 per cent.

“We can use lots of things as excuses. But when you have that amount of the ball you have to make more attacking plays. There needs to be more risk and more bravery to do things.

“You can’t always rely on teams coming out and pressing. As we saw Shrewsbury defended very well and, with respect, kicked the ball and waited for a transition or a set-play and I think they got a second phase set-play.

“When you come up against a team that sit low like that you have to force it and take the moments.

“That’s not me being negative or critical of the group, but it hurts. It’s cold and the supporters have watched an attack versus defence session where the defence won.

“Fair play to (Shrewsbury), credit to them because they did what they needed to do.”