Shrewsbury Town 2 Oxford United 3 - Report and pictures

Sam Ricketts’ side were 2-1 up and comfortable again the depleted U’s at half-time but were punished for falling asleep by speedy forward Whyte.

Whyte netted early for Oxford but Ollie Norburn’s penalty and Greg Docherty’s strike, after Ahmed Kashi saw red, had the hosts looking healthy, with safety all-but mathematically tied-up.

But a staggering second-half capitulation, where the visitors scored twice in five minutes in the final quarter, meant Town’s relegation fears surfaced again. Shrews’ gap to safety, at one point seven points, is down to four with two to play.

Luke Waterfall was caught out for both goals with sluggish defending.

Ricketts takes his team to Coventry on Sunday before the final day visit of rivals Walsall.

The outcome was a real hammerblow for Shrews who at one point looked secure but the boos that rang out at full-time told a different story.

Ricketts stuck to his plans laid before the Good Friday trip to Barnsley, by recalling James Bolton for Ryan Sears as Town’s right wing-back role.

Youngster Sears excelled at Oakwell and was rewarded with a new deal over the weekend but lost his place to the more experienced Bolton.

The rest of Salop’s XI stayed the same as the side that pushed Barnsley hard. Keeper Jonathan Mitchell had a spell on loan at Oxford earlier in the season, as did Town sub Sam Smith.

Ricketts’ men, starting the day in a good position on 50 points, knew a positive result could mathematically seal their League One status for next season.

Moving to 53 points and with a positive goal difference - with teams below them still to play each other in the closing stages of this term - would be enough.

Karl Robinson’s visitors arrived having secured mathematical safety with a superb unbeaten run of five wins from seven. The U’s left out stars John Mousinho, James Henry and Josh Ruffels, selected a young bench.

The two sides met at the Meadow on Easter Monday last season, Shaun Whalley netting twice with Jon Nolan in a 3-2 win.

In front of a vibrant and loud atmosphere the hosts showed some intent in the early minutes but the visitors soon silenced the Meadow with an opener on just six minutes.

Town lost out in a couple of 50-50s as Oxford powered towards their box. Samir Carruthers lifted a ball into the box and Jamie Mackie headed on for Gavin Whyte to control with his chest and lift into the corner over Mitchell.

There were suspicions of handball but it became obvious - if it wasn’t already - that Salop had work to do.

Town needed to settle with Ricketts and his staff demanding a quicker tempo and that the team pushed forward.

Shrews’ big names responded. Waterfall won a challenge before Norburn cleverly helped it on to Docherty.

The Scot charged forward before offloading to Whalley who jinked into the box and fell under pressure from Curtis Nelson.

Penalty king Norburn showed nerves of steel with his composed finish into the corner from 12 yards to haul his side level and take his goal tally to 11.

Shrews improved after drawing level. Anthony Grant and Norburn were setting the tone in midfielder, the former showing grit and desire to win several challenges.

Tyrese Campbell’s pacy and willing runs over the top worried the U’s backline on several occasions, but chances were few and far between inside half hour. A drinks break, with the absence of sunshine, was a brief lowlight.

But the hosts looked the better side and were given a big helping hand by Kashi’s silly tackle 11 minutes before the break.

The Algerian clattered into Campbell on the halfway line, studs raised, the sound of boot on shinpad echoed around the stadium. Referee Christopher Sarginson flashed a straight red.

The moment of madness was a shot in the arm for the hosts who made their advantage count.

Bolton was unfortunate to see his goalbound shot well blocked by Luke Garbutt but Oxford could not hold out.

Docherty’s moment of delight and relief came five minutes before the break - owing much to Campbell’s handiwork down the right.

His deflected cross picked out the Scot in space on the edge of the box and Docherty made it 10 for the season with a cool left-footed finish into the corner.

He celebrated letting the crowd he was up to double figures - a milestone the Rangers man has targeted for some time.

Robinson had to change things at the break and opted for a double swap, sending on Cameron Brannagan and Jamie Hanson.

It took Salop a little time to find their feet in the second period as the visitors adjusted to their changes.

Norburn took a clatter. The midfielder has been playing with an Achilees injury for a while and was replaced by Josh Laurent early in the second half. Fejiri Okenabirhie replaced Campbell shortly after.

Results elsewhere were pleasing the home fans as much as results on the pitch. Scorelines below Salop were going for Ricketts’ men - the Shrews faithful took particular pleasure in rivals Walsall falling behind.

Amid the changes and stop-start second period, Oxford sent a warning note that they were still interested at 2-1 down. Midfielder Mark Sykes cut in from the right and found the side netting.

Town paid the price for a lackadaisical mid-period in the second half and talented Ulsterman Whyte punished them.

A poor miss from Waterfall caught out Omar Beckles and in pounced the speedy Whyte to slot through Mitchell’s legs.

Salop stepped up but Whalley smashed a chance over.

And the 10 men completed their stunning turnaround five minutes after equalising. Again Waterfall was at fault, with his pace called into question, as one pass dissected Salop and Whyte sped in to finish superbly.

Town spent the final 15 minutes plus stoppages with the ball but creating precious little, leaving plenty to ponder for Ricketts after the most untimely of back-to-back defeats.

Teams:

Shrewsbury Town (3-4-2-1):

Mitchell; Williams, Waterfall, Beckles; Bolton, Grant, Norburn © (Laurent, 54), Golbourne (Gilliead, 83); Docherty, Whalley; Campbell (Okenabirhie, 59).

Subs not used: Charles-Cook (gk), Sadler, Sears, Smith.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1):

Stevens; Long, Dickie, Nelson, Garbutt; Sykes, Kashi; White, Carruthers (Brannagan, 45), Graham (Hanson, 45); Mackie (Jones, 57).

Subs not used: Harris (gk), Sinclair, Napa, Lopes.

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Attendance: 7,189 (901 Oxford fans)