Shrewsbury Town 1 Crawley Town 2 - Report

Shrewsbury Town’s dismal season ended in defeat to relegated Crawley Town with Town’s Josh Feeney sent off much to the host’s anger.

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Shrewsbury were left furious after Crawley were awarded a soft second-half penalty and defender Feeney shown a red Card. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy converted from the spot before Max Anderson‘s volley added a second for the visitors.

Salop’s Mal Benning grabbed a consolation goal late-on, but Crawley were able to see out for the win.

However, despite the defeat, on this evidence, Town fans do have reasons to look forward to life under Michael Appleton in League Two next season with glimpses of quality in the first-half. But, the Town boss will have to wait until the new campaign to claim his first home win.

Appleton named an unchanged side from the one that beat Barnsley last weekend and handed Callum Stewart his first home start. Crawley too lined-up as they did in the previous game against Northampton.

It was an encouraging start for Shrewsbury who had the first effort on goal through Mal Benning. Boss Appleton has spoken of trying to give Shrewsbury an identity, and they certainly played some attractive football in the opening.

Town supporters protested against Director of Football Mickey Moore, calling for him to exit the club. But, their attention quickly turned back to the pitch as Toto Nsiala headed over from a corner on the 15-minute mark.

John Marquis was alert to smartly pick-up on a loose ball and raced forward accompanied by Lloyd, two-on-one. Town’s top scorer eventually squared the ball to Lloyd, but he took a touch instead of immediately firing at goal, and penalty appeals were waved away after he went down under challenge.

Crawley’s Gavan Holohan was a danger and twice let fly at goal. His first effort sailed high and wide, but his second was better and was seen away for a corner.

The visitors gathered momentum approaching the break, and in the first-half’s closing stages, Crawley’s Rushian Hepburn-Murphy was played through on goal where he managed to beat and round Jamal Blackman. However, he was unable to steer an effort goalbound.

Just under three-minutes into the second period, Crawley were awarded a soft penalty and Town defender Josh Feeney was remarkably sent off. Players, coaches and supporters were shocked at the decision and vented their frustrations.

Hepburn-Murphy slammed the spot-kick home and Appleton was furious.

George Nurse’s corner less than 10-minutes later was nearly turned home by Crawley’s Panutche Camara as Shrewsbury looked for a response.

But, Crawley extended their lead in emphatic style on the hour-mark as Max Anderson turned and volleyed into the bottom left corner to give the visitors daylight.

A sumptuous strike it was, and it became about damaged limitation for Appleton’s side. Marquis saw a powerful effort palmed away, as did substitute Vadaine Oliver. But, Crawley dominated possession, and Jack Roles’ free-kick was easily held by Blackman.

Frustrations grew as decisions continued to go against the hosts. Blackman denied Armnando Quitirna’s free-kick effort before Hepburn-Murphy squandered a late Crawley chance.

But, Mal Benning then gave Shrewsbury hope in the 88th-minute. Oliver’s ambitious overhead kick turned into a perfect pass for the defender who hammered home from close-range.

However, despite a late rally, Crawley held on for the win, and there were boos at game’s conclusion.