Shrewsbury Town 1 Gillingham 1 - Report and pictures

Paul Hurst’s men looked to have returned to winning ways after back-to-back home defeats and led for over an hour thanks to Abu Ogogo’s opener - his first goal in 22 months.

But the hosts were punished for not finding a second as the in-form Gills rallied and Mark Byrne swept a superb 81st minute equaliser into the top corner.

It has been Town with the late shows this season but the Kent side’s response meant Shrews remained second in League One, a point behind Blackburn. The visitors extended their league run to one defeat in 13.

With illness hampering Hurst’s build-up, the pre-match headline was the omission of Jon Nolan - for the first time in the league this season - the midfield came off midway through Saturday’s defeat where the boss admitted he was ‘run down’.

Nolan was one of a quartet unable to train on Monday. Bryn Morris, another victim, also missed out of the 18.

Town shifted from their familiar 4-1-4-1 formation to a 3-5-2 to match up that of their visitors.

A more unexpected change was defender Mat Sadler shifting to the bench, meaning Omar Beckles shuffled along to centre-half to make a back three alongside Toto Nsiala and James Bolton, with Max Lowe in at left wing-back.

Luke Hendrie was the other addition to the starting XI. He was out at right-back in a more offensive role in front of one of the defensive trio in Bolton.

Whalley and Nathan Thomas enjoyed more freedom centrally behind lone striker Carlton Morris.

The Gills had rose up to 11th under the excellent stewardship of Steve Lovell, appointed at MEMS Priestfield in November. Their powerful forward line included former Town loanee Tom Eaves and Josh Parker, who scored a header in Gillingham’s defeat in Kent earlier in the campaign.

Their fine run included just one defeat - against former leaders Wigan - in eight matches.

Ironically, with concerns about missing Nolan’s creativity and presence in attacks from midfield, it was one of his central partners that had the press box reaching for the history books.

Skipper Ogogo’s collector’s item was a measured close-range finish with all the goalscoring nous of a seasoned striker.

Town’s no.8 met Whalley’s low cross to turn home a difficult finish into the bottom corner in front of the largely empty away end.

He owes much of the credit for his first goal in 673 days to more supreme wing-play by Whalley, who latched on to Morris’ flick before reaching the byline and cutting it back for his 13th assist of the season.

Unlike recent home disappoints against Plymouth and Rotherham, Town dominated much of the first period. Controlling possession, even without the composure of Nolan, with ease as the Gills struggled to stick with their opposition shadows.

Thomas was another keen to impose his attacking ability on proceedings. His well-struck half-volley from the edge of the box zipped inches wide before a fierce 30-yard strike flew a few foot over the top.

Gills began to grow a little in stature. But Dean Henderson, called into question in recent weeks, responded well early on with a couple of impressive claims from route one Gillingham balls.

The busy Morris threatened Tomas Holy in the visitors’ goal just before the break as he powered on to a through ball but was denied by the Czech shot-stopper.

Hurst will have been frustrated to see the second period open with a succession of cheap free-kicks given by referee Craig Hicks against his side.

The visitors almost profited from one. A deep Luke O’Neill delivery was met by the towering leap of skipper Gabriel Zakuani but he could not keep a close-range header down.

Gills’ tails were up, most likely as a result of Lovell’s sharp half-time pep talk, and O’Neill sent a rocket from outside the area towards the top corner that deflected narrowly wide before Callum Reilly shot straight at Henderson.

Town stuttered out of the traps after the break and did not test Holy’s goal until a brave Lowe header dropped wide of the post.

Shrews were inches from a second as Bolton’s volley from Whalley’s corner was destined for the top corner but Holy clawed away.

One of Eaves’ final contributions before his withdrawal on 75 minutes was a poor volley that flew haplessly wide.

But with nine minutes to play Town were made to pay. A Lee Martin long throw was poorly dealt with as Nsiala twice failed to clear and Byrne curled a stunning finish into the far top corner from the left side of the box.

Town fought for a late winner and Ogogo was inches from a magical second but his first-time volley was cleared off the line by Gills hero Byrne. They had to settle for a point.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (3-4-2-1):Henderson; Bolton, Nsiala, Beckles; Hendrie, Ogogo ©, Godfrey, Lowe; Whalley (Rodman, 90), Thomas (Payne, 63); C Morris.

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Riley, Sadler, Jones, John-Lewis.

Gillingham (3-5-2):Holy; Ehmer, Zakuani ©, Nugent; O’Neill, Hessenthaler, Byrne, Reilly (Martin, 69), Ogilvie; Eaves (Wilkinson, 75), Parker.

Subs not used: Hadler (gk), Garmston, Wagstaff, List, Moussa.

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 4,839 (162 Gillingham fans)