The Shropshire Star is £1,500 out of pocket after Shrewsbury Town’s latest two football matches.

The Star hit on a novel way to boost players’ morale as the Shrews struggle desperately for Football League survival.

It pledged £500 to the scorer of every Shrewsbury goal in the final four matches of the season – and gave striker Lee Steele a very happy Easter. He emerged with two goals, both from the penalty spot, in Town’s 2-1 win over Southend on Saturday and scored their only goal in Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Halifax.

The club could know on Saturday whether it will spend next season in the Football League, where it has played for half a century, or face the likes of neighbouring Telford in the Nationwide Conference.

The paper’s Golden Shot offer has been applauded by the club, supporters and local MP Paul Marsden, who said it was a “wonderful” gesture.

Editor Adrian Faber said: “We’re desperate for Shrewsbury to stay up and keep league football in Shropshire. This is our way of trying to inspire the players to new heights.”

Club manager Kevin Ratcliffe said that when the first penalty was awarded on Saturday, all 11 players wanted to take it.

Shrewsbury have two games left – at home to Brighton on April 29 and away to Exeter on May 6 – but if fellow strugglers Carlisle and Chester win this weekend and Shrewsbury lose, the Shrews will be out.

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