Town v Oldham Athletic
Town: Leutwiler, Riley, Nsiala, Sadler, Brown; Whalley (88), Ogogo ©, Deegan, Rodman; Roberts (77), LadapoSubs: Halstead, Grimmer, Smith. Morris (88), El-Abd (77), Anderson, Barnett
Oldham Athletic: Ripley, Dummigan (58), Clarke ©, Gerrard, Wilson; McLaughlin, Law, Fane, Flynn; Ngoo (57), McKay (72)
Subs: Kettings, Reckford, Banks (58), Amadi-Holloway (57), Edmundson, Erwin (72), Green
Referee: Mark Haywood
Assistants: Robert Massey-Ellis and Michael D’Aguilar
Fourth Official: Peter Gibbons
Attendance: 5537 (739)
Freddie Ladapo scored the winner against his old club as Shrewsbury Town secured back-to-back league wins by beating Oldham Athletic 1-0 at Greenhous Meadow.
The on-loan Crystal Palace forward spent the first half of the season at Oldham and he came back to haunt them here as Town lifted themselves out of the League One relegation zone.
He could have walked away with a brace had his first half strike not been controversially chalked off.
Town looked the brighter side in the early exchanges as they looked to follow on from last week’s impressive showing vs. Bradford.
The home side enjoyed more possession than seen in previous games and early volleys from Shaun Whalley and Joe Riley fizzed wide as Town looked to establish some dominance.
Oldham did create some half chances of their own, with Ryan Flynn especially forcing Town into defensive action.
His first effort came after a run down the left channel and into the area – albeit with a couple of lucky bounces – but his shot was comfortable for Jayson Leutwiler, before a second strike was well blocked.
Then came the major talking point as Town thought they had taken a well deserved lead.
Whalley used his pace as he slalomed down the left, with Oldham defenders unable to keep up, and his fierce cross was bundled home by Ladapo.
After a considerable delay and amidst much confusion, the officials ruled the goal out, although it was unclear whether the decision was given for handball or offside.
Town continued to dominate the ball after that disappointment, with Gary Deegan the next to fire an effort towards goal, but the effort flew just over.
Half Time: Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Oldham Athletic
The second period started with Town in the same position of dominance that they held throughout the first 45 minutes.
A bending cross from Riley evaded everyone as it flew across the six yard box, before an impressive run by debutant Tyler Roberts – on-loan from West Brom – was brought to an end by a block.
As the game approached the hour mark, Oldham created their best chance so far, and Town could consider themselves fortunate to still be level.
A cross to the back post found substitute Aaron Amadi-Holloway who nodded back to Billy McKay, but his hooked effort from six yards trickled just wide.
And the away side were made to pay for that missed opportunity as Town took the lead just minutes later.
Riley found the head of Toto Nsiala from his well delivered corner, and although the centre back couldn’t direct his header towards goal, Ladapo was on hand to belatedly secure his second goal in as many games.
There was not much by way of a comeback from the away side, as Town’s fierce defensive unit – now including substitute Adam El-Abd - held firm.
Paul Hurst’s side have now kept five clean sheets in six league games since he arrived, and the shutout helped to secure Town an important three points.
Full Time: Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Oldham Athletic