Shrewsbury Town were forced to return to Shropshire empty-handed after going down by one goal to nil away at Plymouth Argyle.
The first effort on goal came from Panutche Camara who – shortly after kick-off – picked up the ball on the edge of the Town penalty box and sent a low drive goalward but Marko Marosi got down well to claim the shot.
Salop went straight up the other end and had their own dangerous effort when the ball fell to Josh Vela on the penalty spot, but Macaulay Gillesphey put his body on the line to block the fierce effort.
The chances kept coming as, in the 20th minute, Marosi was called into action yet again, this time providing a fingertip save to turn Jordan Houghton’s effort over the bar.
Plymouth controlled the next 20 minutes of play but failed to trouble Marosi or his defenders during that period. They almost paid the price for that when, just before half-time, Salop went close three times in quick succession. The first was George Nurse’s cross-cum-shot from a free-kick that ended up sailing towards the back post where Michael Cooper palmed it over. From the resulting corner, Ethan Ebanks-Landell almost got on the end of the dangerous ball at the back post and, from another corner, Matthew Pennington headed a well-connected effort goalward but, again, Cooper was equal to it.
Argyle started the second half brightly and almost opened the scoring immediately from kick-off as Danny Mayor tried to curl an ambitious effort past Marosi and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net but, thankfully for Salop, it went just past the post. They went close again moments later and would’ve almost certainly taken the lead had Pennington not put in a great sliding challenge to intercept a low cross to the unmarked Ryan Hardie – who was waiting at the back post.
Unfortunately for Town, the hosts’ next effort saw them take the lead as a low ball from the right-wing found its way as far as the penalty spot and the onrushing Conor Grant slammed the ball into an empty net for the opening goal in the 63rd minute.
The game developed into a scrappy affair from this point on but Shrewsbury were having more possession now. However, they were unable to trouble the Argyle defence and a few clearances was all it took to keep Town at bay and send them home to Shropshire empty-handed.
Teams:
Plymouth Argyle: Michael Cooper (GK), James Bolton, Macaulay Gillesphey, Jordon Houghton (Adam Randell, 90’), James Wilson, Joe Edwards (C), Ryan Hardie (Jordon Garrick, 83), Danny Mayor, Conor Grant, Panutche Camara, Luke Jephcott (Niall Ennis, 73’)
Subs Not Used: Callum Burton, Ryan Broom, Ryan Law, Romoney Crichlow
Salop: Marko Marosi (GK), Ethan Ebanks-Landell (C), Matthew Pennington, Tyrese Fornah (Tom Flanagan, 57), Josh Vela, David Davis, Elliott Bennett, Ryan Bowman (Saikou Janneh, 67’), Daniel Udoh, Joshua Daniels (Tom Bloxham, 67), George Nurse
Subs Not Used: Harry Burgoyne (GK), Aaron Pierre, Matty Bondswell, Charlie Caton
Officials:
Referee: James Oldham
Assistant Referees: Mark Derrien and Daniel Flynn
Fourth Official: Robert Dabbs
Bookings:
Jordan Houghton picked up the first booking of the game for a late and clumsy sliding challenge on David Davis in the first half. Josh Vela then picked up a yellow card for a similar challenge on Panutche Camara just moments later.
Camara was the next man to receive a yellow following an off-the-ball incident with Davis – the Shrewsbury Town players suggested there was a headbutt involved.
Finally, James Bolton was booked for a foul in the 80th minute.
