Shrewsbury fell to a 3-0 loss at promotion-chasing Barnsley – on a night where a number of key refereeing decisions went against us.
A controversial penalty that Herbie Kane converted and an equally contentious strike from Callum Styles saw the visitors 2-0 up at the break.
Despite a spirited second-half showing from Matt Taylor’s side, Devante Cole’s 75th-minute strike sealed all three points for the Tykes.
Team news:
Boss Matt Taylor made one enforced change from the team that put in an impressive display to beat Derby - with Mal Benning replacing the injured Brandon Fleming at left wing-back.
It meant Town remained in a 3-5-2 system with Daniel Udoh and Max Mata the front two.
In midfield, Nohan Kenneh was joined by Taylor Perry with Tom Bayliss slightly more advanced.
Barnsley also lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Barry Cotter at right wing-back and Nicky Cadden on the left. Up front, Devante Cole was partnered by John McAtee.
Report:
In what was a quiet opening 15 minutes, both teams cancelled each other out on a wet and slippery surface at Oakwell.
But a frantic spell saw Town see two big refereeing decisions go against them – with Matt Taylor’s team suddenly finding themselves 2-0 down.
First, the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty when Barry Cotter blasted the ball against the arm of Carl Winchester.
Referee Simon Mather pointed to the spot - with Herbie Kane coolly converting the penalty.
Just six minutes later, Town felt they should have had a penalty of their own when Mal Benning was twice dragged back in the box.
Referee Mather though waved play on with Barnsley then going straight up the other end and doubling their advantage when Cole's cross was converted by Callum Styles.
Town tried to find a way back into the game before the break with Taylor Perry consistently getting into dangerous areas while Udoh sent in a dangerous cross that a defender cleared ahead of Bayliss.
Ultimately, though, it was a frustrating half for Town who left the field feeling they had been let down by the officials.
Town started the second half brightly with Udoh firing over from the edge of the box and Mata heading wide a deep cross from Tom Flanagan.
And we came a whisker away from pulling a goal back when a Flanagan throw caused havoc in the Barnsley box with Jordan Williams doing really well to head the ball over his own crossbar.
Bang on the hour mark we had another glorious chance to get back into the game when Chey Dunkley met a Mal Benning corner. His header, though, was brilliantly blocked on the line by a defender.
With six minutes remaining, Aaron Pierre entered the fray and made his 100th Shrewsbury Town appearance.
Town had been bright following the interval but the hosts wrapped up the points in the 75th minute when Cole latched onto a ball over the top before firing in.
Line-ups:
Barnsley: Ben Killip, Jordan Williams ©, Jon Russell, Mael De Gevigney, Nicky Cadden (Owen Dodgson 64’), Herbie Kane, Barry Cotter (Corey O’Keeffe 64’), Callum Styles (Adam Phillips 45’), Jamie McCart, Devante Cole (Josh Benson 78’), John McAtee (Max Watters 64’)
Unused Substitutes: Kieran Flavell, Jack Shepherd
Shrewsbury: Marko Marosi, Mal Benning (Joe Anderson 81’), Jason Sraha (Aaron Pierre 84'), Chey Dunkley ©, Tom Flanagan, Carl Winchester; Nohan Kenneh (Tunmise Sobowale 45’), Taylor Perry (Elliott Bennett 81’), Tom Bayliss; Dan Udoh, Max Mata (Ryan Bowman 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Harry Burgoyne, Harvey Watts
Referee: Simon Mather
Attendance: 10,859 (221 away)
