Shrewsbury Town stand 12 days away from the start of the League Two and, on the evidence of a chastening final home pre-season friendly, have plenty to ponder.

Newly-promoted Championship club Leicester thrived on their first ever visit to the Prostar Stadium as they strolled to a comfortable win.

Four goals in 24 first half minutes gave Leicester complete control of this game and left Town supporters anxiously waiting transfer activity.

Manager Paul Simpson is only too aware his side are some way short ahead of the big kick-off against Burton on Saturday week, not least in the numerical sense.

Life after Grant Holt began with Simpson having just 16 fit first-team squad members at his disposal.

The Town boss will hope to add reinforcements quickly but will also know his team can ill-afford to make the kind of errors which blighted the first half on Saturday.

Missing skipper Graham Coughlan, Shrewsbury looked vulnerable defensively as they contributed to their own downfall.

Jack Hobbs was given space in the penalty area to nod home a Nicky Adams corner on nine minutes, while the advantage was doubled when Lloyd Dyer capitalised on hesitation to lob a volley over goalkeeper Andreas Arestadou.

Curled

Two became three when Danny N’Guessan slotted home from close range, while Dyer grabbed his second when a long throw from Robbie Neilson wasn’t cleared and the winger rifled into the net from 15 yards.

Shell-shocked Shrewsbury could offer little in the way of a reply, although Jake Robinson curled over from 25 yards and Omer Riza missed his kick from close range when he should have done better after a cross from Lewis Neal.

Trialist Craig Dobson was withdrawn on the half hour after making little impression, and his replacement Andre Gray offered one of the few rays of light on offer.

Gray’s pace and power made him a handful for the Leicester defence during the second period, the youth graduate providing one of two crosses from which Neal headed good chances wide.

Leicester’s threat waned during a more even second period but the damage had already been done.

A strong performance at Tranmere next week appears imperative to restore confidence and belief for when it matters most.