Bolton took the lead but Town equalised through Udoh, Bolton down to 10 men but Town just couldn't get that second goal
Shrewsbury Town: 25 Max O’Leary, 2 Aaron Pierre, 3 Scott Golbourne, 5 Ro-Shaun Williams, 7 Shaun Whalley, 8 Ollie Norburn ©, 11 Ryan Giles, 17 Donald Love, 23 Dan Udoh (82 OFF, 35 Jason Cummings ON), 24 Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 28 Josh Laurent
Unused Substitutes: 1 Joe Murphy, 4 Dave Edwards, 6 Omar Beckles, 10 Fejiri Okenabirhie, 15 Brad Walker, 22 Sean Goss
Bolton Wanderers: 20 Remi Matthews, 2 Josh Emmanuel, 4 Jason Lowe, 6 Jake Wright, 8 Luke Murphy, 9 Daryl Murphy, 17 Thibaud Verlinden (73 OFF, 35 Sonny Graham ON), 23 Joe Dodoo, 27 Ronan Darcy, 28 Liam Bridcutt © (15 OFF, 12 Adam Chicksen ON), 32 Josh Earl
Unused Substitutes: 43 Matty Alexander, 10 Chris O’Grady, 21 Harry Brockbank, 22 Dennis Politic, 26 Liam Edwards
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Official Referees: Matthew Parry & Geoffrey Liddle
Fourth Official: Elliott Swallow
Attendance: 13,788 (1,078 from Town)
Sam Ricketts made four changes to his starting 11 as Ro-Shaun Williams, Ollie Norburn, Ryan Giles and Dan Udoh all come in to replace Omar Beckles, Brad Walker, Dave Edwards and Fejiri Okenabirhie.
A point apiece for Bolton and Shrewsbury. 10-man Bolton manages to play out the remainder of the game after many Town chances. Dan Udoh with the equalising goal mid-way through the second half.
The first 45 minutes of play were tough for Town as they headed back to the changing rooms a goal behind after Thibaud Verlinden was the difference.
Town started the game brilliantly and looked the team on top. Shrewsbury kept possession, played some great football and had the first chance of the game inside the first two minutes.
Dan Udoh played through Ryan Giles as Town went on to break, Giles squared the ball into Shaun Whalley where he was waiting at the back post, however, Bolton’s backline managed to recover well and clear away the danger.
Minutes later, a long ball from shot-stopped Max O’Leary caused confusion between Remi Matthews and his defence again after a mis-hit punch landed well for Whalley again. Whalley controls the ball and smashed a half-volley inches wide of Matthews’ post.
After the first 10 minutes, Bolton began to get their hold in the game. Their first chance came from Verlinden as he broke down the left-wing and clipped in a curling cross that landed on the head of Daryl Murphy but it was just over O’Leary’s bar.
15 minutes into the first half and the hosts were forced to make a change. Captain Liam Bridcutt made way for Adam Chicksen. O’Leary then sprang into action again during the first half after producing a class save from Luke Murphy’s header.
Bolton had another great chance after Joe Dodoo had his shot deflected on its way through to the goal but O’Leary did well to get down and gather the ball.
With just over 30 minutes on the clock, the home side manages to break the deadlock. A long ball over the top from Ronan Darcy sees confusion in O’Leary whether to come or go. Verlinden takes his chances and manages to chip the ball over O’Leary.
Half-Time: Bolton 1 – 0 Shrewsbury
Whalley got the second half underway and Town started the second half strong. Udoh came closest first after captain Norburn played the ball out to Love down the right, Love whipped a ball in just inches away from Udoh’s head but Matthews did well to collect it.
Aaron Pierre came close shortly after. Scott Golbourne’s cross landed on the head of Pierre but his header was just over the bar.
With almost 10 minutes of the second half played, Dan Udoh found the equaliser. Whalley made the goal but was unlucky not to finish it. Udoh latched onto a loose ball in the box and slotted it home past Matthews, making the scoreline level.
The hosts came down to 10 men after Jason Lowe saw a straight red for a reckless challenge on Norburn. The free-kick saw Whalley’s ball headed away and behind for a Town corner in front of the Town fans.
Pierre came close again after being on the end of Whalley’s corner ball. Pierre’s headed effort is just over Matthews’ bar. Town continues to look dangerous and look for the winning goal.
Whalley with another great corner finds Norburn at the back post and he smashed a volley but Chicksen did well to block it. Norburn’s second effort took a deflection and went behind for another Town corner.
Bolton made their second substitution of the game as their goalscorer, Verlinden was replaced by Sonny Graham.
Shrewsbury continues to look dangerous on corners. Whalley’s ball found Pierre and his effort was cleared off the line. The ball then fell to Ro-Shaun and he put the ball over the bar.
Sam made his first change of the game with only 10 minutes remaining. Goalscorer Udoh made way for Jason Cummings as Town still looked to get the winning goal.
Whalley and Laurent had fantastic chances. Both efforts from point black range and Matthews managed to block both shots as Town are hungry for the winner.
As the fourth official indicating five minutes added time, Sam made his second change of the game as Love made his way for Fey. Bolton made their third and final change as Joe Dodoo was replaced by Chris O’Grady.
Late heartbreak for Town again as Whalley scored what looked to be the winner, however, the linesman flagged for offside.
Full-Time: Bolton 1 – 1 Shrewsbury