STAR performer Chris Shephard revealed he has been spurred on by the bumper crowds that have flocked to the Bob Lucas Stadium to watch the Terras this term.

The former Exeter City man has drawn a number of plaudits in his short stint with the club so far, earning him the fans’ player of the month award for both August and September, voted for on the club’s website.

And he believes the support has given himself and the rest of the squad “that little bit extra”.

Shephard was rested for the Red Insure Cup clash with Sholing last night, where the Terras crashed out after losing 2-0, but continued his impressive form with a brace against Hitchin Town on Saturday.

Commenting on the support he has received this season, the Terras’ playmaker told Echosport: “The size of the crowds and the support both home and away has really surprised me, and it gives you that bit extra when you are playing.

“It’s nice to get plaudits but the credit has to go down to everyone in the team, if it wasn’t for the bravery of the centre-backs going two-v-two and getting on the ball then I wouldn’t get on the ball in the final third.

“It transcends through all of the team to be brave, not just to put a foot in, but to get on the ball and pass the ball especially in conditions like they have been over the last couple of weeks. That is a testament to the lads we have got in.”

With full faith in the squad assembled by boss Jason Matthews this season, Shephard believes the club has every right to set their sights high in the long run.

“We step out on the pitch at the moment and we don’t feel like we are going to get beat, we have goals in us and we have a strong defence as well,” he added.

“To win the league would be fantastic and I don’t think it is out of reach for us but promotion is the main goal. “A lot of us have become more than teammates, we are quite close and are all friends which makes a big difference.

“When you care about who you play with you care about how you play and want to perform to your best.”