Shrewsbury Town

Connor Goldson admitted his side had "gifted" Tranmere Rovers their two goals as Shrewsbury slipped to defeat at Prenton Park and lost their place at the top of League 2.

Two goals inside the space of three 1st half minutes gave the hosts a big advantage and while Shrewsbury rallied after the break thanks to Goldson's goal eight minutes from time, his header from a Bobby Grant corner proved to be just a consolation.

"We probably didn't deserve anything from it," admitted the defender. "It's obviously disappointing but we've gifted them two goals and you can't go away from home and do that. We thrive on clean sheets and it was uncharacteristic from us. We knew it was going to be a tough place to come and we'd have to defend well but we gave away two soft goals, one after another. 

"It was a bit better in the 2nd half. We tried to get the ball more into their half and hit Tyrone Barnett a bit longer than we'd usually play but we didn't get enough people around him to pick up the second balls."

Shrewsbury dominated large spells of the second half and with the number of late goals scored by Town this season, Goldson never gave up hope of an equaliser. 

"The way things have gone this season I thought we might get something," he said. "There have been a lot of 'great escapes.' It wasn't to be  though and we have to dust ourselves down and go again next week. A few of the teams around us have lost so we've been a bit lucky there but we want do it ourselves and now we have to start another unbeaten run like we did after losing at Burton."

Town's cause wasn't helped when they lost captain Liam Lawrence and defender Mickey Demetriou to injury.

"I saw the challenge on Mickey and it was a bit late," said Goldson. "I spoke to their lad and he said he ran into him. He asked asked after him when the game finished and I don't think he meant it. I hope Mickey and Liam will be okay for next week."

Town's squad has been hit by a series of injuries with James Wesolowski and Nathaniel Knight-Percival out for the season, and striker Andy Mangan also remains sidelined.

"We've got a few out but we've got a good squad and this is the time when we need to use everyone we have," said Goldson. "Whoever is in the squad or on the bench, if they're called upon they need to be ready and do a job for us."

Goldson's 4th goal of the season was the highlight of the day for Shrewsbury on a disappointing afternoon when they slipped to 2nd, with Burton now top of the table. 

"They all count," he said. "I just wish we'd have got another one but I'll take it. I'm obviously happy to score but the main thing is the team getting a result and we didn't do that."

Shrewsbury were also backed by a sizeable away following with more than 1300 at Prenton Park.

"The fans were brilliant," he said. "I remember after the Burton game I sent a tweet out saying his big it is for us to get that support. I got a few messages back saying 'obviously it isn't.' I just had a look at my phone and had another saying we've let them down again. We do appreciate the support and we're the biggest critics of ourselves. We need that support."