Shrewsbury Town lose on the road against Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town.
A disappointing evening for Salop came to an end with Fleetwood Town securing a 1-0 win.
Ched Evans was the man on hand to notch for the Cod Army as their first-half goal ensured all three points remained in Fleetwood.
An energetic and competitive start from both teams saw action in both halves of the pitch within the first 15 minutes. The Shrews looked strong on the left flank whereas the home side continually threatened on the break.
It was the home side who managed to find the breakthrough in the first-half. Ched Evans latched onto a loose ball and neatly curled his effort into the Town net via the inside of the post in the 26th minute.
Harry Burgoyne made a solid save for his team with just over 30 minutes gone by. Town’s number one converged quickly on Paddy Madden’s shot to keep the score 1-0.
The home side took their advantage into the break despite the general lack of chances in the tie.
Early in the second period, Burgoyne was called into action again. Callum Camps had a close-range shot for his team but Town’s shot-stopper did well to get a limb on the ball to clear from danger.
Marlon Fossey made an important goal-line clearance for his team with just over an hour on the clock. Fossey jumped well to meet a shot, which was heading for the top corner of the net.
Brad Walker came inches away from giving Town a goal to pull level with under 20 minutes to go. The midfielder’s shot unfortunately deflected just wide of the post to the delight of the Cod Army keeper.
Despite Salop pushing men forward in the final moments, the Shrews were unable to unlock the door as the game finish 1-0 to Joey Barton’s team.
The teams:
Fleetwood: Jayson Leutwiler, Tom Edwards, Danny Andrew, Callum Connolly, Wes Burns (Josh Morris, 82), Mark Duffy (Glenn Whelan, 62), Ched Evans, Charlie Mulgrew, Paul Coutts, Paddy Madden, Jay Matete (Callum Camps, 27).
Subs: Alex Cairns, Glen Whelan, Callum Camps, Josh Morris, Barrie McKay, Harvey Saunders, Harrison Holgate.
Town: Harry Burgoyne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ollie Norburn, Josh Vela, Charlie Daniels, Brad Walker, Marlon Fossey, Ryan Barnett (Josh Daniels, 66), Daniel Udoh, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Marc Pugh (Leon Clarke, 53).
Subs: Cameron Gregory, Aaron Pierre, Leon Clarke, Jan Zamburek, Shilow Tracey, Josh Daniels, Scott High.
Referee: B. Madley
Assistants: C Brown & P Graham
Fourth official: A Jackson
Bookings:
Ched Evans was shown the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Ethan Ebanks-Landell in the 35th minute.
Charlie Daniels was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Ched Evans in the middle of the park.
