JUST what is it about Wrexham that gets under Shaun Pearson's skin?
Maybe its because that before the Mariners' win over Alfreton on Tuesday night, the Red Dragons were the only side in the Blue Square Bet Premier to boast a better defensive record than Town.
But a 2-0 win for Pearson and co, coupled with Wrexham's 3-2 victory over Stockport the following evening, means that Town have now conceded fewer goals than any other side in the league.
Team-mate James McKeown says that Pearson is the first to check on the Welsh side's results, so he wouldn't have needed reminding of the fact that he is now part of the meanest back four in the league.
But having picked up a knock in training yesterday, the former Boston man is hopeful he can be fit to help keep Town ahead of Wrexham in the battle of the back fours.
"We've got the Premier Sport channel at the house where I live with a couple of the other lads and we were watching the Wrexham game the other night" he explained.
"I was texting Macca (McKeown) all night to keep him updated with the score.
"When I told him it was 3-2 he thought it was to Stockport, so I had to let him down a bit when I told him that Wrexham had won – but for us it was still nice to see the goals go in!
"It's great to know that we have the best defensive record in the league but it's about making sure that we've still got it after the game tomorrow.
"Of course it's pleasing to win every week and if we can keep as many clean sheets as we can, then that will give the team the best opportunity to do that.
"We need to do that again tomorrow against Telford," he added.
"As a back four, and a team as a whole, we need to put in another the performance like we did on Tuesday night.
"Whenever we've had setbacks, like against Dartford, and Stockport before that, we've always provided a response like that and it bodes well.
"Tomorrow, we want to continue that level of performance and defensive solidity that we've had all season, barring those couple of blips.
"I think, over the course of the season, you're going to get dips in performances. That happens to every team, but it's all about how you react to it.
"We did that midweek against Alfreton and it's about building on it tomorrow."
Pearson is no stranger to the New Bucks Head stadium, having been a regular visitor with Boston in the Blue Square North and again with Town last season.
And the Lincolnshire lad is expecting another stern test when the Mariners make the trip to Shropshire tomorrow.
"It's going to be a tough game – they will be a strong team at home, there's no doubt about it," he said.
"They're a team that's progressing.
"They came up and then consolidated last year and, this year, they'll be looking to kick on – it's down to us to prepare right and put in the right performance.
"If we do that, I think there's an opportunity to get another three points. Hopefully that will get us back into the play-off places which is where we want to be."
