Shrewsbury Town lose out 2-0 on the road against Gillingham.
Gills: Jack Bonham, Stuart O’Keefe (Mathew Willock, 45), Max Ehmer, Connor Ogilvie, Jordan Roberts, Barry Fuller, Alfie Jones, John Akinde, Ben Pringle, Oliver Lee, Jack Tucker.
Subs: Joe Walsh, Brandon Hanlan, Matthew Willock, Mikael Mandron, Regan Charles-Cook, Alex Jakubiak.
Town: Max O’Leary, Aaron Pierre, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Callum Lang (Dave Edwards, 55), Ryan Sears (Donald Love, 66), Brad Walker, Daniel Udoh (Jason Cummings, 55), Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Josh Laurent, Sam Hart.
Subs: Joe Murphy, Scott Golbourne, David Edwards, Ro-Shaun Williams, Donald Love, Sean Goss, Jason Cummings.
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistants: Adrian Waters and Nigel Lugg
Fourth official: Ian Cooper
Town’s evening in Gillingham didn’t go to plan as the home side managed to beat the Shrews 2-0.
Two first-half goals was the difference between the two teams as The Gills secured all three points.
First Half:
Town’s evening in a cold Gillingham got underway with both teams looking to apply pressure in the final-third. Daniel Udoh and Callum Lang’s pace continually looked a threat as The Shrews looked to break down the home side.
Town came close to breaking the deadlock just after the 20-minute mark. Udoh fired a powerful cross along the box but Shaun Whalley couldn’t aim his headed effort towards goal and saw the ball rise above the bar.
Despite Town going close, it was the home side who managed to notch the first goal. Stuart O’Keefe picked up the ball just outside the box and beat Max O’Leary with an effort that nestled in the bottom corner.
The away side were awarded a penalty in the 39th minute. Ethan Ebanks-Landell was beaten for pace and fouled his man just inside the box. Oliver Lee stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty away for his team.
The half came to an end with the home side earning a deserved two-goal advantage.
Second Half:
Town started the second-half brightly and nearly pulled a goal back through Josh Laurent. The midfielder struck an effort from outside the box but narrowly missed the target and saw his effort rebound away off the post.
John Akinde was shown a yellow card in the 62nd minute for a foul on Ryan Sears.
The home side were the team in the ascendancy as the game ticked towards the 70-minute mark. Ben Pringle proved to be a threat on the left-wing and continually made Town’s defence work.
The Gillingham boss, Steve Evans, was booked by the referee for throwing the ball away in the 73rd minute.
Sam Hart was also booked minutes later for a foul on the by-line.
Town were trying to force themselves back into the game but found it difficult to break down the home side’s defence. Laurent came close when he found half-a-yard of space in the box but couldn’t hit the target.
The game came to an end with the Shrews losing out 2-0.