A late goal from Dan Udoh saw Shrewsbury secure a 1-0 win over Northampton.

In what was a keenly contested encounter at the Croud Meadow, Town had chances to open the scoring earlier with Tom Bayliss and Ryan Bowman going close.

The visitors then had a glorious chance to break the deadlock in the 74th minute when they were awarded a penalty - only for Sam Hoskins to smash the ball against the crossbar. 

Town, though, finally went on to grab a winner late in stoppage time when Dan Udoh kept his composure to net his second of the campaign.

Team news:

Matt Taylor made four changes from the team that faced Oxford on Tuesday - with the boss reverting back to the side that put in an impressive display against Charlton last weekend.

It meant - in a 3-5-2 formation - Carl Winchester and Brandon Fleming were deployed at wing-back with Nohan Kenneh joined by Taylor Perry and Bayliss in the middle of the park. Up front, Udoh was partnered by Max Mata. 

Northampton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Louis Appere the lone striker. Mitchell Pinnock operated in the number 10 role with Kieron Bowie and Sam Hoskins out wide.

Report:

The opening half-hour saw Town create a succession of half-chances as they pushed to open the scoring.

Max Mata was unable to turn a Winchester cross towards goal. Bayliss saw a shot from 12 yards well blocked by a defender.

And the attacking midfielder also whipped in a wonderfully dangerous free-kick that flashed right across the face of goal.

Town fans were doing everything they could to urge their team forward.

And they were off their feet appealing for a penalty midway through the half when Sam Sherring appeared to wrestle Dan Udoh to the floor only for the referee to wave play on.

Northampton replied with a spell of possession of their own.

And they came close to breaking the deadlock when Mitchell Pinnock got in behind the Town defence. He then produced a powerful shot that Marko Marosi did brilliantly to keep out with a strong arm.

Just before half-time, Elliott Bennett, who replaced the injured Perry, had a thunderous volley from just outside the box that was well blocked by a Northampton defender.   

The second half began with Udoh doing well to hold off two defenders before seeing a driven shot well claimed by Lee Burge. 

Boss Taylor opted to switch things around on the hour mark with Ryan Bowman and Kieran Phillips coming on for Bayliss and Mata which meant a change to a 3-4-3 system.

The visitors, though, had a big chance just minutes later when Hoskins’ volley sailed just wide of the post. 

Town responded with Fleming picking out an unmarked Bowman in the box only for the number nine to fire wide. 

The visitors were then awarded a penalty after Tom Flanagan brought down Kieron Bowie in the box. Hoskins stepped up to take it and smashed his effort off the crossbar. 

Finally - in the first minute of six minutes added on - Town find a way to win it with the ball breaking kindly for Udoh in the box.

The striker then showed bundles of composure to calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Burge and into the net.

Shrewsbury Town: Marko Marosi, Morgan Feeney (Jason Sraha 84’), Carl Winchester, Dan Udoh, Taylor Perry (Elliott Bennett 43’), Tom Bayliss (Ryan Bowman 60’), Chey Dunkley ©, Brandon Fleming, Max Mata (Kieran Phillips 60’), Tom Flanagan, Nohan Kenneh 

Unused Substitutes: Harry Burgoyne, Mal Benning, Tunmise Sobowale,  

Northampton: Lee Burge, Sam Hoskins ©, Louis Appere (Tyreece Simpson 51’), Mitchell Pinnock, Emmanuel Monthe, Shaun McWilliams, Kieron Bowie (Ben Fox 84’), Marc Leonard, Akinwale Odimayo (Harvey Lintott 84’), Patrick Brough 

Unused Substitutes: Max Thompson, Aaron McGowan, Ali Koiki, Jordan Willis 

Attendance: 5,722 (760 away) 

Referee: Carl Brook