Shrewsbury Town player ratings v Grimsby: 7s handed out as Salop beaten late

Here are our player ratings from Lincolnshire, on a night when Town were competitive, but having failed to take advantage of the chances in front of goal throughout the course of the evening, they succumbed to a narrow defeat late on.

Shrewsbury Town player ratings (4-4-2)

Will Brook 6

Was forced into early action when he calmly claimed Darragh Burns' strike, after he'd found room on the edge of the box. His goal was exposed late in the game.

Luca Hoole 6

The right-back was attentive in his job for the most part, although didn't perhaps have the license to roam which he might've done as a wing back. The winning goal came from down Shrews' right.

Tom Anderson 7

Used to playing in a back three, this change in system required a shift in approach and mindset from Anderson and teammate Boyle, who admirably stood up to the task. Both players won headers to create a chance for Sang in the first half. Had to nail the timing of his challenges and won his fair share of headers.

Will Boyle 7

Led by example at the back. There were a few nervy moments in the first half as Grimsby probed without too many openings or considerable chances to speak of, and that was in no small part down to the diligence of Boyle and the Shrews defence.

Sam Clucas 7

Began 8well, winning a big tackle to set up a Salop counter and bursting forwards with the ball before finding no luck with his pull back into the box. Excellent challenge in his own penalty area which he had to win at the start of the second period.

Josh Ruffels 6

Like partner Perry, he had to be on his toes as Grimsby enjoyed the ball in the first half and there weren't too many opportunities to influence the game with possession. Played one delightful chipped ball into Marquis from the edge of the box.

Taylor Perry 6

Plenty of work off the ball in the first half and then did well to drive forwards and create the chance that Sang ought to have done better with before half time.

Tom Sang 6

Playing in an advanced role on the right hand side, Sang was involved in the first half proceedings. Put himself about in the 50-50s and delivered a couple of excellent balls from set-pieces. Missed Town's best chance in the first period. Excellent delivery from which Marquis' header was denied and hit the post from range.

Anthony Scully 5

Was shifted out wide and as a result seemed to be on the periphery in the first half, unable to get heavily involved and was at times on a different wavelength to Clucas. A quieter night for one of Town's better technical players.

Ismeal Kabia 6

Played just off leader of the line Marquis. Lively at times when granted the opportunity to dribble with the ball at his feet, but seldom in the first half was he able to impact proceedings in the final third. Switched out wide in the second half and showed he had pace to burn.

John Marquis 6

Was in the wars in the first half and had to act as the first line of defence with Salop out of possession. Glanced header goalward in the second half was brilliantly clawed away by Smith. Moved deeper when Lloyd arrived.

Substitutes

George Lloyd (for Scully 55) 5

Struggled to make a telling impact in the final third, at a time when Salop were actually growing into the game in the second half.

Tommy McDermott (for Kabia 84)

Chuks Aneke (for Sang 90)

Substitutes not used: Harrison, Benning, England, Gray

Grimsby Town: Smith; Sweeney, Rodgers, Walker (Green 62), Khouri, Soonsup-Bell (Kabia 73), Turi (McEachran 73), McJannet, Burns (Amaluzor 73), Tharme, Vernam

Substitutes not used: Casper, Staunton, Warren