Shrewsbury Town lose out 2-0 away from home against Oxford United.
Shrewsbury Town's evening fixture away from home in Sky Bet League One competition ended with the home side securing a 2-0 win.
Despite a solid first half performance from Salop, the home side were able to mount enough pressure to ensure Town returned to Shropshire empty-handed. Goals from Mark Sykes and Cameron Brannagan was the difference between the two sides on the night.
Steve Cotterill's Salop had an early chance to take the lead in the fixture with Tom Bloxham narrowly missing the target on the 10-minute mark. Dan Udoh worked a clever cross into the box but Town's forward saw his effort glide past the post.
The next real chance of the game came in the 18th minute for the home side. Matty Taylor managed to latch onto a deflected ball inside the Salop box but was unable to guide an effort on target from close range.
Despite a solid showing and near-perfect defending from Town in the first 45 minutes of the fixture, the home side were able to break down the Salop backline seconds into the next period. Mark Sykes launched a cross into the box from distance and saw his hit wiggle all the way through and into the back of the Salop net.
The home side managed to double their lead to seal the win through Cameron Brannagan in the 88th minute. The U's number eight picked up the ball on the edge of the box and was able to fire a great strike into the bottom corner of Town's net.
Unfortunately for Town, the game came to an end with all three points remaining in Oxford with Karl Robinson's U's.
Attendance: 5763 (221)
The teams:
The U's: Jack Stevens, Sam Long, Joran Thorniley, Elliott Moore, Alex Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, Matty Taylor (Dan Agyei, 88), Mark Sykes, Gavin Whyte (Nathan Holland, 71), Herbie Kane (James Henry, 71), Steve Seddon.
Subs not used: Simon Eastwood, Ryan Williams, Anthony Forde, Billy Bodin.
Salop: Marko Marosi, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Matthew Pennington, Aaron Pierre, Shaun Whalley, Dan Udoh (Sam Cosgrove, 79), Ryan Bowman (Rekeil Pyke, 79), Nathanael Ogbeta, David Davis, Elliott Bennett, Tom Bloxham (Josh Daniels, 75).
Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, Callum Wilson, Khanya Leshabela, Charlie Caton.
Officials:
Referee: Craig Hicks
Linesmen: Michael Chard and Ryan Whitaker
Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear
