Cheltenham 1 Shrewsbury Town 2
A fluke goal helped Shrewsbury Town stun Cheltenham by coming from behind to grab all three points. A fluke goal helped Shrewsbury Town stun Cheltenham by coming from behind with two goals in two minutes. Barry Hayles put the home team in the lead on 60 minutes but Shrewsbury levelled after Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Brown attempted to clear but hit Dave Hibbert and the ball rebounded into the net. Brown was at fault again two minutes later when he failed to hold on to a cross from Lewis Neal and Joss Labadie crept in to score the winner. The win marked Shrewsbury Town's fourth successive victory. See our match photo gallery here and read the full match report and reactions in today's Shropshire Star
September may not yet be over but last night's victory at Cheltenham already had the feel of a landmark evening in Shrewsbury Town's season.
This was a big, big performance to produce a big, big three points and just two miles away from the Mecca of National Hunt racing, Town continued their gallop up the League Two table.
The testing obstacles will continue to come between now and the finishing line, but the current signs are hugely encouraging.
Even before October has begun, Shrewsbury have already matched their entire collection of away victories as last season - three.
And last night's success was made all the more impressive as Town came from behind to land a maximum return at one of the toughest places to visit in League Two.
True, they were aided a little by Lady Luck, the equaliser coming from a charged down clearance by Dave Hibbert on Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Brown.
But that moment more than any other encapsulated the foundations of last night's outstanding triumph - hard work, character, professionalism and belief. In short, all the ingredients required to grind out an away victory.
"We've certainly shown some character," said Simpson.
"Towards the end it was like the Alamo but we have got a big result.
"We have worked extremely hard and I said that to Dave Hibbert.
"That's not the prettiest goal he has scored this season but he has got in because he has continued to work hard and closed the keeper down.
"Ninety-nine times out of 100 you know it is a wasted run but that's the one occasion when it goes in."
For much of this encounter there was little to choose between the sides.
With no quarter asked for or given by either side, chances were few and far between in the opening period.
But it was Shrewsbury who looked the more threatening, Jake Robinson blasting a 20-yard effort against the post while a Paul Murray shot from distance forced Brown into a fine save.
At the other end, a Shrewsbury defence led impeccably by Graham Coughlan dealt with the bombardment which comes from any Martin Allen side, restricting the hosts to just one genuine effort from distance by Josh Low which Steve Phillips palmed around the post.
It remained a tight tussle after the break, with Town standing up well to the long throws of Lee Ridley while Robinson angled a decent chance wide of the post.
Shrewsbury's excellent recent run, however, appeared to be under serious threat when they fell behind on the hour.
David Bird's deft ball into the box picked out Barry Hales, and a striker who once commanded a £2m transfer fee turned Kelvin Langmead before powering home from 12 yards.
But the Shrewsbury class of 2009-10 continue to thrive in the face of adversity and turned the game on its head within 15 minutes.
Hibbert brought a ticket and won the raffle when forcing Brown into an error as he attempted to deal with an unconvincing backpass from Michael Townsend, the ball looping off the striker's back before looping into the net.
And just three minutes later, Town found themselves in front when Hibbert nodded down a Lewis Neal cross for Joss Labadie to nip in and round Brown before converting from a tight angle.
The closing stages were tense as Cheltenham swarmed forward in numbers.
Michael Pook struck the bar with a stinging effort from 30 yards while Phillips made a fine late save from a Julian Allsop header.
But, thanks to some outstanding defending, Shrewsbury held firm to make it four wins on the trot for the first time under Simpson.
Saturday's trip to Morecambe can't come quickly enough.
By James Garrison
