Shrewsbury Town may have surrendered a two goal lead against Premiership West Brom last night, but for once it was not expletives on the lips of the supporters as they exited the newly named Prostar Stadium.
The Town fans instead made the stroll home with renewed hope after watching their team put in a decent second half performance, sprinkled with a seasoning of silky moves.
And in Grant Holt they are convinced that they have the 20-goal man to propel them into the forthcoming League Two promotion mix.
After a quiet first half the striker introduced himself to the home supporters with two predatory finishes to take his pre-season tally to three goals in two.
His first on 47 minutes was the spark the game needed after a fairly dull opening period.
New strike partner Richard Walker put the cross in from the edge of the area, Holt lost his man, stuck out a leg at the far post and Baggies keeper Dean Kiely’s weak hand was not enough to prevent the ball from hitting the net.
There were other inspired moments from Walker and Holt, who looked like they have been playing together longer than just a few weeks.
On 54 minutes a smooth stepover and one-two between the pair put Holt through, but this time his effort lacked power.
Pinpoint
Ten minutes later the advantage was doubled.
Walker played a defence splitting ball out to Ben Davies, the captain swept in a pinpoint cross and Holt was there to sidefoot home from close range with ease.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray reacted with four substitutions and his team were back in the game soon after when South Korean Do-Heon Kim unleashed a superb 30 yard bullet into the top corner.
Shrewsbury struggled to retain possession after Walker and Holt were replaced by Dave Hibbert and Michael Symes as legs began to tire.
And the top flight new boys were level with eight minutes remaining when Scotland International James Morrison hammered home an unstoppable 25 yarder that clipped the post on its way past Glyn Garner.
Symes had the chance to win it for Town in the dying minutes, after a Hibbert ball straight through the heart of the Baggies defence, but his effort was woefully wide when in acres of space.
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