Award winner Holt eyes promotion

Town striker Grant Holt receives his League Two Player of the Year award

Striker Grant Holt insists that being named League Two Player of the Year will be an extra spur to helping Shrewsbury Town win promotion.

"It's a great honour," Town's 26-goal top scorer said to 800 guests at the league's gala dinner on Sunday night.

"I want to reach 30 goals and, if I do that sooner rather than later, it'll hopefully help us to get promoted."

Paul Simpson's side currently lie in seventh, following Saturday's 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Wycombe.

"We're in the shake-up with just a few games to go," he said. "And, if we end up getting into League One, I'll be delighted that my goals have made a contribution."

Holt, who cost a club record £170,000 from Nottingham Forest last summer, has made League Two sit up and notice with his scoring exploits.

His 26 goals in 42 appearances included a memorable five in one game, the 7-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy back in October.

But of the 18 he has scored in the league, only eight have come from open play, Holt having hit a staggering 10 from the penalty spot.

Holt beat off competition from Wycombe's Tommy Doherty and Charlie Macdonald, from leaders Brentford, to scoop the League Two prize.