I'm not a Salopian but I'm still proud - Ainsworth

Gareth Ainsworth has won five and drawn four of his 19 games in charge of Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury Town head coach Gareth Ainsworth says he is proud to be the boss of the struggling League One club whatever division they are in.

But he insists that Town can still stay up, despite their untimely run of four straight defeats.

Having got to within three points of safety last month, Saturday's latest loss at Peterborough - after having skipper John Marquis sent off just 13 seconds in - plunged Ainsworth side's back to the bottom.

But, after Tuesday night's home date with Bristol Rovers, who have themselves lost three games on the bounce, Town face two more of the teams in and around them - Exeter City at St James Park on Saturday and Burton Albion at home a week later.

"We will fight and scrap to get as high as we can in whichever league we're in," Ainsworth told BBC Radio Shropshire. "And I still intend it to be League One.

"I look at the fixtures and still think we can do this."

Gareth Ainsworth's Shrewsbury Town have taken down some big scalps at Oteley Road since he took charge - including both Birmingham City and Wrexham

Town start the night on Tuesday eight points behind Bristol Rovers - and have been dealt a double suspension blow.

Striker Marquis begins his three-game ban for that record-breaking red card on Saturday, while Grenada defender Aaron Pierre picked up his 10th booking of the campaign at London Road and is also out.

But Ainsworth, who is currently contracted until the end of the 2025-26 season, is still hoping for another passionate Salop night to inspire his side - just as they did in wins against Birmingham City, Lincoln City, Wrexham and Mansfield Town.

"When the fans are all behind me and all with me and with the team, I love this place," he said.

"I'm never going to be a Salopian as I wasn't born there. But I feel as Salopian as possible.

"I get proud crazily with this team. We're going to go on one hell of a journey. Stick with us.

"The start is always tough when you're working things out. I took over a team. We didn't have a pre-season together. It's hard to get the philosophy and structure in.

"We're getting there slowly. But I'm a proud manager of a Football League club, whichever league that will be."