Shrewsbury and Brighton played out a goalless draw in the EFL Trophy - but it was Town who grabbed a bonus point after winning the penalty shoot-out.

Town had some big chances in the 90 minutes. Morgan Feeney headed over from close range. Ryan Bowman sent a half-volley crashing against the post. And Tom Bayliss and Dan Udoh were brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Tom McGill.

But with the scoreline goalless the game went to penalties to give the two teams a chance to win a bonus point in Group A of the southern section of the competition.

And it was Town who took it with Tom Bayliss, Ryan Bowman, Elliott Bennett and Joe Anderson scoring Town's first four spot-kicks to win the shootout 4-1.

TEAM NEWS:

Boss Matt Taylor went with a strong side for the visit of the Seagulls, making four changes from Saturday's starting 11.

Tom Flanagan replaced Joe Anderson at left centre-back while Nohan Kenneh and Tom Bayliss came in for Carl Winchester and Taylor Perry respectively - with neither in the squad.

The final change saw Daniel Udoh make way for Kieran Phillips.

MATCH REPORT:

It was Town who started the game on the front foot with Taylor's side creating two decent chances in the opening 10 minutes.

First, Elliott Bennett whipped in a free-kick which Tom Flanagan did well to flick across goal. The ball was then met by Morgan Feeney who from close range powered a header over the bar.

A few minutes later and Town threatened again when Phillips hit a fierce effort inside the box that deflected over.

The young Brighton side were having spells where they showing how technically good they are on the ball.

It was Town, though, who were creating chances and they came close to breaking the deadlock again when - after good work from Kenneh - Bayliss slipped in Phillips. He then took a touch before seeing a shot well blocked by a defender.

Shrewsbury had been the side that looked far more likely to score.

But Brighton twice came close to breaking the deadlock just before the interval.

First, a poor back-pass from Tom Flanagan had Marko Marosi scrambling towards his own goal - with the keeper just about managing to hack the ball clear.

Then a few minutes later, the ball broke for Mark O'Mahony around eight-yards out - with his his fierce shot again brilliantly kept out by Marosi who produced a strong arm to beat the ball away.

The visitors threatened again shortly after the re-start when a dangerous ball to the back post was met by Benico Baker-Boaitey. Marosi, thoigh, made another brilliant stop to keep the ball out.

Taylor's side came a whisker away from opening the scoring with 20 minutes to go when Phillips first did well to win the ball in the Brighton box.

He then squared for Bayliss who saw a shot acrobatically parried away by Tom McGill.

Shortly after Taylor made a double change with Ryan Bowman and Dan Udoh replacing Mata and Phillips.

Town suddenly were putting Brighton under heavy pressure. Bowman and Kenneh both saw shots inside the area blocked.

Bowman then sent the ball crashing against the post with a brilliant half-volley from just outside the box.

With just under 10 minutes to go, Udoh did wonderfully well to rob the last defender of possession before charging at goal.

The striker looked destined to score a goal similar to the one he got at Fleetwood - but goalkeeper McGill made himself big and made an excellent block.

Town continued to press for a winner in the closing stages. Bayliss curled over from the edge of the box while Ryan Finnigan fired straight at the keeper from 18-yards.

That meant the game went to penalties - with Taylor's side winning the shootout 4-1.

TEAMS:

Shrewsbury Town: Marko Marosi; Morgan Feeney, Chey Dunkley, Tom Flanagan; Elliott Bennett, Mal Benning (Brandon Fleming 58), Nohan Kenneh (Joe Anderson 90), Ryan Finnigan, Tom Bayliss; Kieran Phillips (Dan Udoh 71), Max Mata (Ryan Bowman 71).

Unused subs: Harry Burgoyne, Jason Sraha, Tunmise Sobowale.

Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s: Tom McGill, Jack Hinshelwood (Benico Baker-Boaitey 46), Imari Samuels, Jack Hinchy, Samy Chouchane, Casper Nilsson, Leigh Kavanagh, Luca Barrington, Jamie Mullins (Louis Flower 32), Mark O'Mahony, Ruairi McConville.

Unused subs: Killian Cahill, Ben Jackson, Josh Duffus, Jacob Slater, Brody Peart.

Attendance: 1,027 (away 55)

Referee: Paul Howard