Shrewsbury Town fans were today reflecting on what might have been after being knocked out of the Carling Cup in a pulsating tie against Premier League giants Arsenal.

The League Two side more than held their own against the multi-million pound club at the Emirates Stadium last night and even took a shock lead through striker James Collins to send Town’s supporters into raptures.

The 1-1 scoreline at half-time flattered Arsenal with Shrewsbury creating a number of scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

However, the Premier League quality and fitness levels of Arsene Wenger’s side eventually told and they scored two goals in the second half through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yossi Benayoun.

About 5,000 fans made the trip to London to cheer on Shrewsbury and despite losing they were full of pride and admiration for the efforts of the players against top opposition.

Alistair Hotchkiss, from Welshpool, said James Collins’s header was a moment to savour.

“When we got the first goal it was properly magic and we had the excitement of going 1-0 up at the Emirates,” he said.

“We had plenty of chances in the first half and hit the post. It was good to give them a run for their money. Coming here

I was thinking we were probably going to lose, but the goal meant it was well worth the three-and-a-half hour journey coming down here.”

Mike Webster, 52, from Church Stretton, travelled to the game with his son Bradley. “When we saw the draw, I thought it couldn’t get better, apart from getting Manchester United.”