Town fell to a narrow defeat away at Stockport County on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead in the second minute when Ryan Johnson headed home from a corner kick.

Stockport controlled the first half but Salop had their chances, the best of which saw Tom Bloxham crash a rocket of a shot off the crossbar late on.

Town opted for a youthful line-up at Edgeley Park with Shrewsbury lining up in a 4-2-3-1 system. 

It saw Aiden O’Brien make his first start for the club in the number 10 role with Tom Bloxham on the right flank with Rob Street on the left.  

Stockport decided to go with a 3-4-2-1 formation with Conor Jennings as the lone striker and Ollie Crankshaw and Elliot Newby just behind in the number 10 roles.  

It was the hosts who made a flying start to the match with Dave Challinor’s men opening the scoring in the second minute when Johnson headed in from a corner.  

Despite the early set-back, Town began to grow in stature. 

But it was County who threatened next when Ryan Croasdale let fly with a powerful strike from 25 yards that Harry Burgoyne did well to acrobatically tip over the bar.  

County kept applying pressure mid-way through the half and they would have doubled their advantage but for an outstanding goal-line block from Nana Owusu. 

Following a dangerous cross, the ball bobbled around and then broke kindly for Jennings who was just a yard from goal. 

The forward looked destined to slam the ball home but Owusu – who overall had enjoyed an impressive half - produced a wonderful block to keep the ball out. 

Minutes before the break, Shrewsbury had a chance to pull level when Bloxham won a dual in the Stockport half.  

The young attacker then played the ball out to Owusu who sent a fantastic cross to the back post that had just a little bit too much pace on it. 

Shrewsbury started sharply in the second half and went close to pulling level in the opening few minutes. 

First Bloxham did well to surge to the byline before standing up a cross. And that was met by Bowman who sent a header inches over the bar. 

Town’s young side were playing with real intent and they created another opportunity in 51^st minute. 

Again it was Bloxham causing the hosts problems with the 18-year-old charging into the box before unleashing a powerful shot that Ben Hinchliffe did really well to parry away.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining, County had a good chance to double their lead. 

A corner was flicked on into the path of Akil Wright but from two yards he failed to get his header on target. 

Owusu sent in another dangerous-looking cross in the 73^rd minute which found Caton who tried to let fly but saw the shot blocked.  

With Salop building momentum they had a flurry of chances just before the 80th-minute mark.  

Street was the first to have a go at goal as he hit a majestic shot from distance but it went narrowly wide.  

Bowman had the second opportunity as he was slipped in from a lovely pass by O’Brien but his shot could only find the keeper's gloves. 

The visitor's best effort of the game came when Bloxham let fly form 30 yards, but his shot crashed agonisingly against the crossbar and Town went home empty-handed.

Teams  

Salop XI:   

Burgoyne (GK) (C), Bowman, O’Brien, Street, Bloxham, Caton, Craig, Barlow (Hernes, 85), Owusu (Watts, 85), Hutchings, Bailey,  

Unused subs:  

Bevan (GK), Antal, Collins, Etienne, Paternoster 

Stockport County XI:   

Hinchliffe, Wright, Palmer (C), Evans, Crankshaw, R.Johnson, Brown, Croasdale (C.Johnson, 65), Newby, MacDonald, Jennings  

Unused Subs:  

Jones, Barugh, Mee, Kenny 

Bookings  

Yellow: Ryan Johnson  

Attendance: 1,054 

Away fans: 99