IT WAS important that we got a good points return from our previous two away fixtures and to pick up four points from tough trips to Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town was very pleasing.

The players really showed their professionalism in both of these games. Our victory at Bristol Rovers last weekend came as a result of sheer grit, determination and organisation. We were bright and brave in the first half and although we became mentally jaded as the game wore on, it was a monumental effort to bring home three points.

Winning that game was a big hurdle for a number of reasons, particularly as it came on the back of our excellent Carling Cup performance against Bolton Wanderers which took a lot out of us.

Tuesday evening's encounter with Shrewsbury Town was arguably our biggest test of the season so far. Shrewsbury have a certain way of playing and if you don't stand up to it you are in trouble. We had to match them and, to be fair to my players, they did just that.

I predicted that it would be a cracker-jack of a game and so it proved; for the first quarter-of-an-hour or so we were well on top, but you know that this is unlikely to last for the full 90 minutes. We were prepared to come under pressure and, on the whole, the players stood up to it well and battled out a hard-earned point.

On Saturday we face a Mansfield Town side who will be in buoyant mood following their fine victory over Darlington in midweek.

Peter Shirtliff has some talented young players at his disposal and they will come here prepared to roll up their sleeves and work hard.

I would like to end by offering a word of praise to our supporters who have given us tremendous backing in the last two away games. It was a real joy to see the numbers that we took to Gay Meadow on Tuesday and the support that we received really gave the players a lift.

We want more of the same, starting on Saturday as we look to maintain our impressive home record.

RICHARD MONEY