Shrewsbury Town fell to defeat against Bristol Rovers.

Town had a blatant penalty waved away just moments before John Marquis, who committed the foul, opened the scoring.

Aaron Collins added a second in added time.

Shrewsbury put in a solid performance in the first half but were unable to convert their shots into goals.

TEAM NEWS:

Boss Matt Taylor gave Max Mata his first league for the visit of Bristol Rovers with the striker starting up front alongside Dan Udoh.

In what was a 3-5-2 formation, Elliott Bennett also came into the side at right wing-back in a move that saw Carl Winchester shift into midfield.

He was joined in the middle of the park by Taylor Perry and league debutant Ryan Finnigan - with Nohan Kenneh not involved due to the hours spent travelling while on international duty with Liberia.

Bristol Rovers lined up in a 4-3-3 system with former Salopian and fan-favourite Ryan Woods starting for them in the middle of the park.

In attack, Marquis was the central striker with Collins and Luke Thomas wide.

MATCH REPORT:

It was Town who proved to be the more dangerous of the two sides throughout the first half - with Matt Taylor's men consistently getting into threatening areas.

In the opening 25 minutes, both Mata and Udoh got on the end of crosses only to see their efforts claimed by goalkeeper Matthew Cox.

And the two strikers then went on to link up superbly to create another chance just past the half-hour mark.

A lovely dinked pass from Mata saw Udoh charge toward goal with the striker then doing really well to turn away from Jack Hunt.

But just as he got his shot away, Hunt did brilliantly to make a last-ditch block and turn the ball behind for a corner.

A minute later Town were denied once again with the ball falling for Perry in the box. But his goal-bound shot was also brilliantly blocked - with Hunt again the man producing the brilliant piece of last-gasp defending.

A strong penalty appeal for Salop was the first incident of the second half as Udoh was pushed down in the box by Connor Taylor, the referee waved play on, though. 

Benning’s cross fell to Bennett at the back post and he managed to sting the palms of Cox. 

Shortly after they both entered the action, Kieran Phillips ran down the line before squaring it to Tom Bayliss but his effort was once again blocked by The Gas – the two substitutes almost linked up instantly for a goal. 

A second strong penalty appeal came for Shrewsbury when Dunkley was manhandled by the already booked Marquis but again, the referee was unmoved.

Dunkley was then booked for dissent following a complaint to the official. 

Just four minutes later, Marquis scored for the visitors after Collins drilled a low cross to him at the back post. 

In the first minute of the additional five, Rovers doubled their lead as Taylor’s header was turned in by Collins at the back post, thus securing the points.

TEAMS:

Shrewsbury Town: Marko Marosi; Mal Benning (Brandon Fleming 76’), Joe Anderson, Morgan Feeney, Chey Dunkley; Elliott Bennett, Carl Winchester (Tom Bayliss 67’), Ryan Finnigan (Tunmise Sobowale 83’), Taylor Perry; Dan Udoh (Ryan Bowman 76’), Max Mata (Kieran Phillips 67’) 

Unused Substitutes: Harry Burgoyne, Tom Flanagan 

Bristol Rovers: Matthew Cox, James Wilson, John Marquis, Aaron Collins, Luke Thomas (Luke McCormick 68’), Ryan Woods (Jevani Brown 68’), Connor Taylor, Antony Evans (Sam Finley 83’), Lamare Bogarde, George Friend, Jack Hunt 

Substitutes: James Belshaw, Josh Grant, Harvey Vale, Tristan Crama 

Referee: Tom Reeves 

Attendance: 6,070 (874 away)