Analysis: Shrewsbury Town's miserable season concludes with frustrating loss to Crawley Town

Their decade-long stay in League One has officially concluded, and Town went down with a whimper, beaten by fellow relegated side Crawley Town.

But, Salop will feel hard done-by. Frustrations grew by the minute as decisions went against the home side, and Josh Feeney slowly trudged off in disbelief after being sent off for a soft foul. 

The decision changed the whole dynamic of the game, and after the penalty was scored, Shrewsbury were dismantled again as they have been so often this season, and left themselves a mountain to climb. 

The loss was Town’s 29th of the season and 15th at home. It has been anything but pleasant viewing for the Shrewsbury faithful who haven’t seen a win on home turf since the first day of February. 

They finished with 33 points - the lowest since three points for a win was introduced. 

After Michael Appleton secured his first victory in charge of Shrewsbury at Barnsley, it was hoped that Town could finish the season in style. But, the wait for his first win at the Croud Meadow continues into the next campaign. 

A football season is often compared to a rollercoaster. This painful and unpleasant ride has finally finished for Town – heads are left spinning and wondering what comes next.

Mario, jockey, and banana costumes were donned by some travelling Crawley supporters, but the Salop faithful were not in a similar mood. The only cause for celebration was the news that Appleton had signed a two-year deal with the club, and the announcement of the news prior to kick-off was met with cheers and applause.

Appleton has spoken of trying to instil an identity and Shrewsbury played some attractive football in the first half showing glimmers of hope for the future. Yet Town failed to find the net before the break against the league’s worst defence. 

The clash had a real pre-season feel with both preparing for their League Two tenure.

And, ahead of this and on his first home start, Callum Stewart was eager to impress. 

Toto Nsiala was unable to divert his header goal-bound on the 15-minute-mark, but the signs were good. And Town should have found themselves in front just five minutes later. 

John Marquis was alert to smartly latch onto a loose ball. The Salop top-scorer raced forward with George Lloyd in assistance, two-on-one with the final Crawley man. 

The pass to Lloyd was delayed until they reached the box and seemed to lack pace. But, nevertheless Shrewsbury fans held their breath expecting Lloyd to spank a shot into the back of the net.

However, he took a touch and composed himself, by which time several Crawley defenders had hurtled back, and under challenge Lloyd crashed to the surface. Supporters leapt from their seats, players waved their arms outstretched, anticipating the whistle to blow. But, the referee saw no wrongdoing, and the chance was wasted. 

The hosts came under pressure before the break. Gavan Holohan twice let fly at goal. His first effort presented little worry but his second was seen away for a corner.

And, in the first-half’s closing stages, the visitors found an opening as nobody tracked the run of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy who beat and rounded goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

The goal gaped wide open. But, in a huge sigh of relief the ball raced away and the forward was unable to steer an effort towards goal.

Football can change quickly, and what unfolded inside the opening five minutes of the second period was devastating and fitting for Shrewsbury’s dire campaign.

Crawley were awarded a soft penalty as Josh Feeney challenged Holohan in front of goal. The hosts were furious enough that the spot kick was given, but then remarkably, a good while after the decision was made, referee Lee Swabey reached to his pocket and produced a red card.

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

Things went from bad to worse when Max Anderson turned and struck with a sumptuous volley. It was now damage limitation for Shrewsbury. 

Marquis would see a powerful effort palmed away while Blackman was kept busy by several free-kicks. 

Mal Benning did eventually provide the home crowd with something to cheer. Substitute Vadaine Oliver attempted an overhead kick that became the perfect pass for Benning, who slammed home. 

Tempers flared late-on as frustrations boiled over, and a late rally wasn’t enough for the sides to share the spoils. 

The best end of season present for the Shrewsbury supporters was the full-time whistle that finally brought the catastrophic and tormenting season to an end.

“Floreat Salopia” Shrewsbury’s club’s crest says, and hopefully Town will be back flourishing again.