Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has challenged his top-two chasing team to go on and win their remaining nine games.

The Blues confidently saw off Shrewsbury Town 2-0 at Portman Road this afternoon through goals in either half from George Hirst and Massimo Luongo.

Town have now scored 18 goals without reply, racking up six straight league wins (for the first time since 1992) and a club-record seven successive clean sheets.

McKenna's men now head into an international break three points behind League One leaders Sheffield Wednesday (who have two games in hand) and two behind Plymouth.

"This run is down to a multitude of things," said the Blues boss.

"I think our performances have generally been consistent all season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town players celebrate after Massimo Luongo made it 2-0 against Shrewsbury Town.Ipswich Town players celebrate after Massimo Luongo made it 2-0 against Shrewsbury Town. (Image: Steve Waller)

"If you look across the season there hasn't been many games where we've been on the wrong side of chances against us compared to what we've created.

"Now some margins are going our way. I think we're getting our rewards now for our performances.

"Of course we added well in January and after a few weeks of bedding in you can see the qualities those players are bringing to us.

"The understanding of our all players has improved across the season. I think we are improving still. Confidence is high."

With automatic promotion rivals Plymouth and Barnsley both winning today, McKenna continued: "It's going to be a really exciting end to the season. It's lovely to be up there. There are good teams up there. Everyone is picking up results.

"There's a chance next week (an international break) that we have to use to refresh and refocus.

"Then we have to go into the last nine and try and win every game. That's all we can do."

Reflecting on his side's latest victory, he said: "It was a good performance against a difficult team.

"We did lots of good things, scored a really good goal to open the game up and had lots of pressure around their goal without getting too many big, clear-cut chances.

"But it was never going to be easy against a Shrewsbury team who defend their goal really well and deep with lots of bodies.

"We looked a threat right though the game, scored a good second goal and defended well.

"Of course you are never comfortable at one or two-nil against a team like Shrewsbury, because they put the ball in the box so quickly. Every long throw and set-piece is an opportunity for them to load the box. You have to stand up to that and in general I thought we did that very well."

East Anglian Daily Times: George Hirst heads Ipswich Town in front against Shrewsbury Town.George Hirst heads Ipswich Town in front against Shrewsbury Town. (Image: Steve Waller)

Hirst produced an expert header to break the deadlock, his second goal in as many games.

"I thought his all-round game was excellent," said McKenna. 

"If you look at his link play, the balls into feet, his combination play and his understanding of how to coordinate with his team-mates in the last two games compared to his first few, there's a vast, vast difference.

"There's been a lot of hard work go into that both from George and the staff.

"He's integrating more and more into our system and is showing why we think so highly of him as a young forward."

East Anglian Daily Times: Massimo Luongo celebrates after putting Ipswich Town 2-0 up against Shrewsbury Town.Massimo Luongo celebrates after putting Ipswich Town 2-0 up against Shrewsbury Town. (Image: Steve Waller)

On Luongo, who swept home the second and once again was subbed off to a Portman Road standing ovation, McKenna said: "I'm delighted for him because he was at a stage in his career where he was uncertain about what's next.

"He hadn't played any football this season (at Middlesbrough). You can see he's just loving it. He's a competitor, he's intelligent, he's adapted to our team and a new position.

"He's showing that he's a really good all-round footballer who can help us."