I was proud of players - Simpson

Paul Simpson was pleased with his Shrewsbury Town players' character

Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson is hoping that Saturday's late equaliser at Gillingham could be the turning point in their push for promotion.

Town's 26-goal top scorer Grant Holt struck twice in the last 11 minutes at the Priestfield to rescue a point.

And Simpson told BBC Radio Shropshire: "I was proud of how they responded to a real kick in the guts with the first and second goal.

"If we show that sort of character, we won't go far wrong."

A point from what Simpson dubbed his team's biggest game of the season, coupled with Bradford City's defeat at Exeter, helped Town back into the play-off places.

And, with eight league games left, Simpson says Town need to take the same commitment and desire into their remaining fixtures.

"I hope we're still involved come 2 May," he said. "I hope we do enough to get there.

"We've got another long week to prepare for another tough game at home to Morecambe."

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson singled out Holt for his 'exceptional' performance.

After once again keeping his nerve to pull one back from the spot with his 10th penalty of the season, Holt then equalised with his first goal in open play in almost two months.

"He's the best striker in the league," said Stimson. "When that ball is in wide areas you have to pick him up because otherwise he will punish you and he did that at the end."