Shrewsbury Town's final game of the season ended in a 3-1 defeat to Leyton Orient.

Town welcomed Richie Wellen's side to the Croud Meadow knowing their League One status was secure after gaining impressive points at Bolton and Charlton.

But an eye-catching first-half performance from Orient saw them head into the break two goals up thanks to strikes from Daniel Adu-Adjei and Ethan Galbraith.

Both those goals had more than a suspicion of offside. But the visitors then made it 3-0 shortly after the breakthrough Dan Agyei.

Following the strike, Salop improved dramatically, with Dan Udoh going on to pull a goal back. 

Goalkeeper Sam Howes then made outstanding saves to deny Jordan Shipley and Udoh as Town looked to stage a fight-back.

In the end, though, it wasn't to be with the visitors leaving Shropshire with all three points.

Team news:

Boss Paul Hurst made one change from the team that secured a point at Charlton last weekend - a result that ensured we retained our League One status.

Sticking with a 3-5-2 formation, Jack Hinchy replaced Elliott Bennett in central midfield where he lined up alongside Carl Winchester and Jordan Shipley.

Chey Dunkley, making his 100th Town appearance, was joined by Morgan Feeney and Joe Anderson at centre-back with Mal Benning and Tunmise Sobowale at wing-back.

Up front, Dan Udoh was partnered by Tom Bloxham.

Orient, who included Town favourite Omar Beckles in their team, lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond system with Ethan Galbraith in the number 10 role and Daniel Adu-Adjei partnering Daniel Agyei in attack.

Report:

It was the visitors who flew out the blocks at the Croud Meadow with Orient scoring twice in the opening half-hour.

Richie Wellen's men opened the scoring in the eighth minute when - after good work from Zech Obiero - Ageyi sent in a low cross that Adu-Adjei tapped in from close range.

Orient then made it 2-0 midway through the half when Galbraith got in behind the Town defence before calmly lifting the ball over Marko Marosi and in.

While both goals had more than a suspicion of offside - Orient were comfortably the brighter of the two teams throughout the first half.

And in between their goals, they hit the woodwork twice. First, Morgan Feeney turned the ball against his own post following a dangerous cross into the box.

Ageyi then connected well with a cross only to see his header cannon against the bar.

Town did have some bright moments. Jack Hincky forced goalkeeper Howes into a smart save at his near post.

Shipley also showed some nice footwork before firing over in the box.

Overall, though, Orient went into the break having been the much sharper of the two sides.

Hurst made a double change at the break with Elliott Bennett - making his 600th professional appearance - replacing Jack Hincy while Aiden O'Brien replaced Sobowale.

It meant a return to a 4-2-3-1 system with Bloxham on the right wing, O'Brien on the left and Shipley in the number 10 role.

Shortly after the re-start, though, Orient made it 3-0 when Galbraith sent Ageyi charging towards goal.

And he then produced an outstanding finish to lash the ball past Marosi and in.

To make matters worse for Town, in the build-up to the goal Dunkley appeared to pull his hamstring - with the centre-back forced to come off with Jack Price replacing him.

Salop came close to pulling a goal back in the 65th minute when Shipley looked to catch out Howes with a clever free-kick.

Luckily for the keeper, Shipley's effort sailed narrowly past the post.

Shipley then went even closer a few minutes later when Bloxham sent in a dangerous cross which he met on the volley just yards from goal. Somehow, though, goalkeeper Howes kept the ball out.

It felt like a Town goal was coming. And it finally arrived in the 76th minute when Bennett whipped in a cross that Udoh nodded in for his 12th of the campaign.

Salop were suddenly putting the visitors under heavy pressure.

And we had two glorious chances as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark.

First Howes made an outstanding double block when he initially did well to parry a fierce strike from Shipley from just inside the box.

The ball then fell for Udoh who looked set to have a tap-in. But the keeper somehow managed to fling himself in front of the ball to keep it out.

Then just moments later, Dan went close again when Bloxham sent in a dangerous low cross that the striker turned inches past the post.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: Marosi, Feeney, Dunkley (Price 54), Anderson, Sobowale (O'Brien 46), Winchester, Hinchy (Bennett 46), Shipley, Benning, Bloxham, Udoh.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Sraha, Price, Bayliss, Bowman.

Leyton Orient: Howes, James, Sweeney (Hunt 80), Simpson, Ageyi (Forde 72), Brown, Pratley (Sanders 72), Beckles (Happe 72), Adu-Adeji, Galbraith, Obiero.

Subs not used: Brynn, Pegrum.

Referee: Adam Herczeg.

Attendance: 7,397 (625 away).