Coventry City 1 Shrewsbury Town 1 - Report and pictures

Top scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie netted a crucial late equaliser two minutes after arriving as a substitute to secure a point and confirm Shrewsbury Town’s League One survival, writes Lewis Cox at the Ricoh Arena.

Town were staring down a third straight defeat in a dull, end-of-season affair at Coventry which would have meant safety was still not mathematically rubber-stamped with one match remaining.

But boss Sam Ricketts sent on Okenabirhie as 76th minute substitute and the striker expertly prodded home his 16th and most important goal of the season in front of a bouncing away end.

Okenabirhie’s equaliser, which cancelled out Jordan Shipley’s first-half opener, confirmed the one point Salop needed to confirm survival - albeit Town already had the benefit of a vastly superior goal difference.

But Ricketts and Town fans will be relieved that Ricketts’ target has been signed, sealed and delivered with the prospect of a final-day clash against rivals Walsall - who need a win to have a chance of surviving themselves - next week.

Shrewsbury also banished back-to-back Easter Bank Holiday defeats against Barnsley and Oxford, the second which left a sour taste in supporters’ mouths against the 10-man U’s, but 1,000 travelling fans were left in fine spirits as they clapped their side off after safety was finally confirmed.

Results elsewhere meant that Town knew a point would be enough to increase the gap to four points with just one match remaining.

Even if they were unable to secure a point, a better goal difference of 16 meant Ricketts’ men went into the clash in a commanding position.

Because of that the boss, returning to the final club of his playing career, was able to rest players suffering with injuries.

There was no Ollie Norburn (Achilles), Shaun Whalley (hamstring) or young defender Ryan Sears. Town were only able to name six players on the subs bench, due to not including a homegrown qualified player.

Josh Laurent and Alex Gilliead - starting his first game in 10 weeks - were the replacements.

Coventry went into the clash on the wrong end of a goal difference permutation. While they had an outside chance of the play-offs, the Sky Blues required a 14 goal swing to make the top six.

Shrewsbury knew about the devastating qualities of City’s frontline. Attacker Bright Enobakhare, on loan from Wolves, has been in fine form.

Pre-match build up was dominated by tributes to the great Steve Ogrizovic, former Sky Blues and Salop goalkeeper, in his final home match as City goalkeeper coach - ending his service of 35 years.

A guard of honour from both sets of players marked his entrance to the pitch.

The fixture had long appeared it may be Coventry’s final clash before leaving the Ricoh Arena. Recent reporters, however, have suggested that the Sky Blues are back in talks with rugby club Wasps about extending their stay.

Ricketts’ men knew, playing 24 hours after their rivals, that a point would confirm things and complete the target that the boss set upon his December appointment.

And Salop needed to banish the desperate memories of giving away a lead to 10-man Oxford on Easter Monday.

Defender Ro-Shaun Williams was in pain less than a minute in. The youngster, feeling the affects of a busy early career with Shrews, came off needing treatment on a nasty looking hand injury.

Coventry settled the easier and were seeing more of the ball but Town were the only side to threaten inside 10 minutes as the returning Gilliead whistled a fierce strike over from 25 yards.

But City were playing with more purpose and the hosts were ahead after 16 minutes. The goal was created down Shrewsbury’s right, as the Sky Blues far too easily scythed through Town’s five-man defence.

Midfielder Shipley found himself in on goal, his initial finish was kept out low by Jonathan Mitchell but the home man was quickest to tuck away the rebound.

The defending was statuesque from Salop as Shipley and Jordy Hiwula combined to slice the visitors open.

Stoke loanee Tyrese Campbell was looking sharp. The forward was a willing runner of the channels and latched on to a Scott Golbourne pass before jinking into the box, but the hosts recovered.

The game was not played at any real pace and had an end-of-season feel. Shipley’s driven half-volley was blocked by Luke Waterfall before, at the other end, Lee Burge was tested for the first time.

Greg Docherty lifted a nice ball over for Campbell and the striker stung Burge’s palms with a fierce strike.

Salop stepped it up as the break approached. Whippet Campbell was inches from winning the race on a slack backpass with Burge, before Gilliead and James Bolton combined well only for the hosts to stand firm.

Shrewsbury went in at the break knowing their first half display needed improvements if they were to take anything away from the Ricoh.

Williams was switched in the early stages of the second period, three times making vital interceptions as the Sky Blues overloaded down their left.

The away fans made good noise all afternoon and were encouraged as Gilliead threaded a ball for Docherty in the box but the Scot opted to shoot rather than square it.

The second period entered a poor lull after the hour mark, not helped by needless breaks in play and substitutes.

Ricketts sent on former Sky Blues team-mate and ex-City skipper Romain Vincelot as the Frenchman played for the first time since injuring his knee at Wolves in February.

Golbourne cross-shot dropped wide at the far post as Town briefly threatened an equaliser, while City continued to waste opportunities to break forward and net a killer second.

James Bolton headed a Docherty free-kick well wide but it did not appear an equaliser was forthcoming.

Top scorer Okenabirhie was sent on by Ricketts with 14 minutes to find an equaliser Salop scarcely deserved.

But the Salop marksman needed less than 120 seconds to make the difference.

Big defender Waterfall will claim a comical assist but a crucial one nonetheless. He lined up a first-time half-volley from 25 yards and the strike was flying horribly off target across goal.

But it picked out Okenabirhie who gobbled up the opportunity, prodding home in ruthless style.

Town woke up with the goal in front of the away end. Docherty followed it up with a low strike straight at Burge as the hosts pushed. The home fans were disgusted at their side’s second half showing.

It was all Shrewsbury late on as Bolton headed a presentable chance straight at Burge, but the visitors - roared on by a buoyant away end - knew that the point was all they needed to confirm job done and League One football for another season.