Shrewsbury must continue to evolve - Cowan

Shrewsbury Town boss Gavin Cowan said his improving squad still have to "evolve" and wants his side to finish the League Two season strongly.

Cowan has masterminded a surge away from relegation trouble since replacing Michael Appleton as head coach at the end of January off the back of six wins in his first nine games in charge.

But back-to-back defeats, and three in their last four matches, have checked their momentum and Cowan wants his side to have a bit of a "recalibration".

"It can't just all go our way all of the time, we're still trying to evolve the group," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"They've had a lot of success over a short period of time, but we do need to get over the line now.

"We do need to make sure that we get a couple of wins and we do start evolving. We've been really hard to beat in every game.

"Even Saturday [a 2-0 defeat by Cheltenham Town] we were great in terms of the process that we play to.

"So we had some good words on Monday and the lads were brilliant, really responsive. We need to pass that ball a little bit more and when we do go into areas that we know we want to go into it has to be done with that little bit of quality.

"I know the fans will be frustrated but the message is stick together, stay connected. There's a lot more wriggle room for this team and for the club as well.

We just want to get over the line and then recalibrate after what's been a long season."

Injuries and suspensions have meant Cowan has had to use the full depth of his squad recently, including the introduction of teenagers Will Gray and Ollie Hall into the matchday squad.

Midfielder Gray, 16, came on for his league debut in the closing minutes of Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Bristol Rovers which Cowan described as "a really proud moment".

"They are two young men that have really impressed me since I've been here and I'm always looking at youth coming through," he said.

"I think it's our responsibility. In my 20 years in the county I've seen some really brilliant talent coming through and we want to continue that.

"But they've got to be good enough and these lads are making the right steps, they've got a long way to go, but it's a brilliant night [too] for Ollie Hall.

"Injuries and suspensions are probably why they're involved but what an experience for them and [it] really lays down a gauntlet for them to go and have a taste of this and want more."