Stuart Whitehead, of Telford United, receives the Shropshire Senior Cup Trophy from John Hatfield, the Shropshire FA chairman

Classy AFC Telford United sprung a Shropshire Senior Cup surprise as they beat Shrewsbury Town on penalties to take the trophy home for the first time in 16 years.

It was a high-quality display from the Bucks, who can now add their name alongside the old Telford United to the roll of honour in this historic competition.

The penalty shoot-out summed up the 90 minutes that had preceded it – Telford neat and tidy while Shrewsbury lacked composure.

Star striker Grant Holt – who at least proved his fitness by playing the whole game – set the tone as he blasted his spot-kick into orbit.

Kevin McIntyre converted, but Paul Murray cracked his effort against the base of the post.

By contrast, the Telford takers were cool, calm and collected. Steve Torpey, Jon Adams and Gavin Cowan all made no mistake as the Bucks took control.

And that left Tom Field to put the final nail in Town’s coffin and start the celebrations for 721 delighted away fans in the South Stand at the Prostar Stadium.

Shrewsbury fielded four of their summer signings in the starting line-up, including manager’s son Jake Simpson – who was given an opportunity on the right of midfield following Chris Humphrey’s departure to Motherwell last week.

Record signing Holt made his first appearance since undergoing ankle surgery as Town continued the countdown to the start of the League Two campaign.

Telford, by contrast, largely stuck by the side that fared so well in the Blue Square North last season – left-back Gareth Jelleyman the only new face, the left-back making a second appearance as he bids to earn a permanent deal.

New boys Torpey and Field both made the bench as they stepped up their comebacks from injury.

It was Telford who had the better of the first half, their neat passing football causing trouble for a new-look Shrewsbury side who have clearly yet to gel.

Carl Rodgers, Liam Blakeman and Andy Brown all gave new Town keeper Chris Neal uncomfortable moments as the visitors carried the greater threat.

It was, therefore, no surprise when they took the lead on 33 minutes – Town right-back Dean Holden, a recent addition from Falkirk, slipping to allow Brown to get away.

The young striker needed no second invitation, cutting straight towards goal before curling in a spectacular finish from 20 yards. Shrewsbury could have been level on half-time when Omer Riza teed up Holt, but the striker blasted over with only the keeper to beat.

Town seemed to have been given an ideal opportunity to equalise as referee Andy Hall pointed to the penalty spot following a needless challenge on Holt by Jimmy Turner.

Yet the home fans’ joy turned to despair as the referee consulted with his linesman and instead awarded Telford a free-kick for an earlier offside.

Town finally found a way through 12 minutes from time, Kelvin Langmead powering a header home off Lewis Neal’s corner.

They could have snatched victory in normal time, substitute Jake Robinson and Holt both off target with decent chances in the last three minutes.

At the other end Chris Neal was Shrewsbury’s hero as he denied Brown in the third minute of injury-time to take the game to penalties.

From there, the Bucks looked winners all the way and can move on to the new campaign with growing confidence.

Shrewsbury fans looking for solace from the result can take one crumb of comfort, though – the last time they lost to Telford in the Senior Cup they finished the season as league champions.

BY CHRIS HUDSON at the Prostar Stadium