Shrewsbury Town

Town put in an impressive display but ultimately fell to defeat at League One pacesetters Portsmouth.

Salop travelled to the South Coast to take on a Pompey side who were unbeaten in their last 14 games.

And the hosts had lady luck smiling on them in the first half with Chey Dunkley scoring an unfortunate own-goal while Colby Bishop netted a second from the penalty spot after Kusini Yengi appeared to dive in the box.

In between, Salop had pulled level with a wonderful goal from Jordan Shipley - his sixth of the campaign.

Paul Hurst's side then had some big chances to pull level again through Tom Flanagan and Dan Udoh.

Portsmouth, though, wrapped up the points late on when Bishop grabbed his second of the game.

Team news:

Boss Hurst opted to make two changes from the team that secured a point at Bristol Rovers when naming his starting line-up.

Having served a three-game ban following his red card against Exeter, Shipley returned with Elliott Bennett also earning a recall in central midfield.

In a 4-2-3-1 system, Bennett lined up in the middle of the park alongside Carl Winchester with Tom Bayliss in the number 10 role.

Taylor Perry got the nod on the right wing with Shipley on the left.

Portsmouth lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Yengi and Bishop the front two.

Report:

The trip to take on the league leaders was always going to be a tough ask.

But Town found themselves with an even tougher challenge after just three minutes when an own-goal from Dunkley put the hosts ahead.

The goal arrived after Conor Shaughnessy flashed a wonderful delivery right across the face of goal - which, under pressure, Dunkley could only turn into his own net.

Town responded to the setback well. Bayliss saw a shot from eight yards well blocked by a defender. Mal Benning then fired over the bar from just inside the box.

And just before the half-hour mark, we got ourselves back on terms with a well-worked goal.

First Udoh burst down the left flank before sending in a low cross which Perry cushioned perfectly into the path of Shipley.

And he then kept his composure brilliantly to slide the ball into the bottom corner and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Will Norris.

In a game where clear-cut chances had been at a premium, Portsmouth went on to re-take the lead just before the break in controversial circumstances when Winchester was judged to have tripped Yengi in the box.

Winchester was adamant he didn't make contact and Yengi had dived. But referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the penalty spot - with Bishop going on to score.

Town had a good chance to pull level just moments after the interval when Bennett whipped in a dangerous free-kick.

That delivery was met by Flanagan whose header flashed narrowly past the post.

Salop then got another big opportunity when indecision between Norris and Shaughnessy allowed Udoh to charge through on goal.

Norris, though, atoned for the earlier mix-up by making an excellent block to deny the striker.

Town's performance had been organised and mature right from the off.

And after Bishop saw a strike from 20 yards well claimed by Marko Marosi, we had another decent opportunity to pull level when Shipley's cushioned pass found Udoh in the box.

He then hit a powerful strike that took a deflection before being well-claimed by Norris.

Despite Town's impressive display, Portsmouth wrapped up the points with a little over 10 minutes to go.

Former Salop loanee Christian Saydee was the architect - with the forward playing a lovely ball over the top.

And that was latched onto by Bishop who fired past Marosi and in.

Town tried to pull a goal back instantly with substitute Tom Bloxham sending in dangerous low cross that was met by Udoh.

His shot, though, was brilliantly blocked by Sean Raggett.

Teams:

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 20,081 (380 away).