Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury goalscorer Tyrese Campbell hopes to have made a point after return to starting XI

Striker Tyrese Campbell hopes to have made his point to boss Sam Ricketts after returning to the Shrewsbury fold with a goal at Gillingham.

Published

The 19-year-old on-loan Stoke striker doubled Town's lead in Kent with an accurate low finish into the far corner on the hour mark after James Bolton had given the visitors a second-half lead.

It was Campbell's first start in four games as the loanee was opted instead of top scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie in Ricketts' only change from the side that drew against Scunthorpe seven days previous, as the two battle for the lone striker role in the team.

Campbell passed up a couple of decent first-half opportunities as Salop enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes but made their dominance count after the break to move to 50 points – six clear of the League One drop zone – with four matches to play.

The striker, whose dad Kevin watched on from the away end, said: "When you're out the team for a while you're trying to do what you can to get back in.

"And when you're back in you've go to take your opportunities and that's what I did.

"It was mad. We said at half-time that they hadn't created much, I thought we were all over them in the first half and it was just a matter of time before we go that goal.

"They came in quick succession so we're happy. We kept a clean sheet, it was a good performance from everyone and it takes us up the table.

"I had a couple of chances and really I should be doing better with them.

"I thought we didn't look under threat, maybe a couple of minutes when they had corners and set-pieces, but apart from that we played our game."

Campbell smirked when revealing he has seen Stoke fan Bolton miss chances in training but kept his cool when it mattered.

He added: "Bolts is a great player, he's what you want from a full-back, (getting) up and down, strong and heads the ball.

"He popped up with a goal, normally in training he wouldn't score them but because it's a game he's got to show off!"

On his fourth goal in Salop colours, he said: "I just held my run, it was a counter and I saw them all get back in, I held my run, created space for myself and put it in the back of the net.

"I'd want more as a striker but I'm happy to score again, I hadn't score in a while so it's nice to get my tally up."