Sam Ricketts may be tempted to keep star Shrewsbury duo together in attacking role

Whalley was shifted further forward into a more natural role for the home defeat against Pompey, having played at right wing-back as of late.

Loan midfielder Greg Docherty was recalled by Ricketts and he combined in style with Whalley against the promotion-chasers, tormenting the visiting defenders, particularly early on.

Shrewsbury boss Ricketts insisted the selection was with caution in mind – to help defensive stability halt Pompey’s flying attackers. The Town boss also said the option of bringing Stoke loanee Tyrese Campbell off the bench was a boost for his side.

Asked if he was tempted to stick with the duo as an attacking pair, Ricketts said: “Yes, possibly.

“It’s good that late on in games we have got talent, to be able to bring Tyrese on against Portsmouth.

“There were a number of players that didn’t get on, but getting Tyrese on to double-up up top and get pace on.

“We have real good options up there. At times the game plan worked well.”

Striker Okenabirhie also played his part as Town looked sharp as an attacking trio and were only denied by a fine Craig MacGillivray save and superb last-ditch defending early on.

The Town boss was pleased with how the game-plan operated as he locked horns with his former manager Kenny Jackett. With James Bolton, who played at right wing-back, going off on 70 minutes still struggling with a knock to his foot,

Whalley, 31, may need to fill that void for Saturday’s crunch trip to relegation rivals Southend United.

But Ricketts was pleased with how his 3-4-2-1 formation functioned. He added: “Yes (I was happy).

“We had to nullify them and we tried to cause them a few problems, we certainly did that.

“They changed formation twice in the first half because they couldn’t quite deal with us.

“They had two or three opportunities we probably had four, five or six. For large parts it was very pleasing. We were just missing that final contact.”

Defenders Luke Waterfall and Ro-Shaun Williams overcame fitness doubts to last 90 minutes against Pompey, but Bolton’s niggling injury will be assessed before Town’s trip to Essex.