'We could have had more' - Gareth Ainsworth reflects on Shrewsbury's draw at Reading
If Shrewsbury Town continue to play like they did on Tuesday night they will finish well clear of the relegation zone - according to Gareth Ainsworth.
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Salop made it three League One games without defeat in Berkshire as they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with play-off hopefuls Reading.
Town were good value for their point at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and will perhaps be slightly disappointed they did not take more from the game.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan gave the hosts the lead just before the half-hour mark, only for Taylor Perry to score for the second consecutive third-tier match after the break.
"It is a good away point," he reflected. "To say we have dropped two points away from home - we did not drop them.
"We felt like we could have had all three - we really did.
"That is very positive. So there is no negativity here saying we dropped two points. We could have had all three, that is how I want to spin it.
"We started the game superbly well. It was chance after chance. The quality was just lacking in the final third - even the penalty. It was just lack of quality in everything.
"I said to them at half-time we could have been out of sight. They had one shot on target in the first half, and it has gone in our net.
"I don't want to be disappointed - I do not do disappointment. It is two points, probably just missed, but we ain't going to miss those at the end of the season, I tell you. We are going to be far clear.
"I am confident that if we keep playing like this, then we won't need those two points."
Salop skipper John Marquis missed a penalty in the first half when the game was goalless. It was his third consecutive penalty miss.
And Ainsworth confirmed after the game that another Shrews player would have taken a penalty if they got a second in the match.
"I decided at half-time if we get another one, somebody else is going to be on it," Ainsworth said. "John said, yes that it is fine.
"He has been prolific for me. In 15 games, it is six goals for me for a striker to have that is top quality.
"Forget the missed penalty let's talk about John Marquis' endeavour, attitude, team spirit everything since I have walked in."
The Salop head coach confirmed that George Lloyd, who came off at half-time, was withdrawn through precaution with muscle tightness.
