Points are shared as Harry Chapman’s first half wonder-strike is cancelled out by a late Wimbledon equaliser.
Town's return to Montgomery Waters Meadow was marked with a 1-1 draw with visitors AFC Wimbledon.
Despite Harry Chapman firing Town in the lead with a stupendous strike, Town had to settle for a point as the Dons worked their way back into the game with a second-half goal.
Both sides started the game looking to instantly put the opposition on the back foot, Shrewsbury having a positive spell of ball retention and a half chance was created when Dan Udoh slotted the ball into the path of Curtis Main but it was frustratingly cut out from Will Nightingale in the Dons defence.
David Davis made his full first-team debut and was looking lively, switching constantly to turn and find areas for Town to get on the break, he showed some positive signs in the opening minutes for Town in that free roam area in the midfield, he will be sure to have made a case for his place in the starting XI by the full-time whistle.
Some good build-up play from Davis put Town on the front foot, Nathanael Ogbeta whipped the ball in and it looped with a deflection for Charlie Daniels to connect with the volley which just slipped off target.
The game started to open around the 25-minute mark. Both sides were building positive spells of possession and getting into striking positions but to no avail. A fitting time for Harry Chapman to be introduced to the clash as he replaced Oliver Norburn who went off injured.
A fitting time indeed, the deadlock broken on the 34th minute. Substitute Chapman was found unmarked on the edge of the area from the Town corner, with one small touch and a looping curled effort, he picked out the far corner of the goal, leaving Dons keeper Sam Walker with no chance.
The second half started with Town trying to feed the main man Chapman, confident he would create more attacking chances. With some link-up play between himself and Davis in the middle, he released Main on the left whose cross was into an inviting area for the hosts but after a scramble, cleared away by Dons skipper Alex Woodyard.
A second for Town was on the cards in the 64th minute, some creative, fast-flowing play from the hosts who worked the ball to Ogbeta, coming in on his left but just losing balance and firing his effort high and wide of the near post.
Town did have the ball in the back of the net moments later, courtesy of Matthew Pennington and Dan Udoh. However, with Udoh’s final touch, he was ruled offside and the celebrations for Town were cut short.
Town saw their frustrations repeated just 10 minutes later when Main had the ball in the net from an Ogbeta cross. This time, the linesman was more prompt with his flag. Wimbledon then grabbed a late equaliser through substitute, Ayoub Assal when he poked his effort past Matija Sarkic.
Town were making a final push for the winner in a game they will feel they deserve three points in, after being ahead for the majority. They introduced Dave Edwards for the final five minutes to try and inject that final press into the home side
The teams:
Salop: Matija Sarkic, Josh Daniels (Shaun Whalley, 74) Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Ro-Shaun Williams, Matthew Pennington, Nathanael Ogbeta, Ollie Norburn (Harry Chapman, 31) Josh Vela, David Davis (David Edwards, 86), Curtis Main, Dan Udoh.
Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, Sean Goss, Rekeil Pyke.
Wimbledon: Sam Walker, Alex Woodyard, Will Nightingale, Cheye Alexander, Shane McLoughlin (Ayoub Assal, 71) Ben Heneghan, George Dobson (Jaakko Oksanen, 72), Darnell Johnson (Luke O'Neill, 62) Ryan Longman, Callum Reilly (Jack Rudoni, 71) Joe Piggott.
Subs not used: Matthew Cox, Ethan Chislett, Nesta Guinness-Walker.
Officials:
Referee: Christopher Sarginson
Assistants: Ian Smedley and Kevin Morris
Fourth officials: Richard Woodward
Bookings:
Shane McLoughlin was booked in the 67th minute for a foul on Josh Vela.
