Gillingham 0 Shrewsbury Town 1 - match report

The celebratory punch of the air from usually understated boss Graham Turner said it all, writes James Garrison.

It may only have been the opening game in September but already Saturday's dramatic victory at Gillingham carries the feeling of a significant milestone in Shrewsbury Town's campaign.

More than two years on from the agony of an injury time Wembley play-off final defeat at the hands of the Kent side, an ice cool Nick Wroe popped up with an almost identically timed winner at Priestfield.

Some retribution if not complete revenge.

And full credit to Wroe for holding his nerve under immense pressure, not once but twice after referee Fred Graham ordered the midfielder to retake his 94th minute penalty following an encroachment on his successful first conversion.

There was no doubt about the validity of the spot kick either, Wroe himself picking out midfielder Sean McAllister's angled run to force a rash challenge from Gillingham goalkeeper Ross Flitney.

But if the spot kick provided a truly dramatic conclusion to what looked like being an entertaining goalless draw, it was an undoubtedly deserved triumph for the visitors, who were defensively resilient when they had to be and posed the bulk of the attacking questions.

That much was acknowledged by Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler after his side saw their 100 per cent home record go up in smoke.

Truth be told, neither side truly did enough to open up a first half advantage – even if both were presented with gilt-edged opportunities to take the lead.

The hard-working Marvin Morgan was to spurn by far Shrewsbury's clearest opening of the first 45 minutes, firing over from three yards after Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's point blank header had forced a fine reflex save from Flitney.

And no sooner had that disappointment passed than Shrewsbury were themselves starring down the barrel when Jermaine Grandison conceded his second penalty of the week.

The right-back could have few complaints at being penalised for what was a careless trip on Luke Rooney in the 22nd minute, and his relief was clear when Ben Smith denied Danny Kedwell with a smart stop to a spot kick which was too central.

From that moment on, Shrewsbury didn't look back and probed for the opening, particularly during an excellent 20 minute spell at the start of the second period where they dominated possession and posed endless problems.

Wroe – who provided one of many outstanding contributions from Town – twice curled long distance efforts just off target and forced Flitney into a smart stop while Morgan had two other reasonable sightings of goal.

But just when Town may well have been contemplating an afternoon where two points had slipped through their grasp, the match-defining moment arrived.

Wroe's composure in firing his re-taken penalty into the corner of the net after his more central initial effort was ruled out sealed a vital victory for Shrewsbury on a ground where, one suspects, away triumphs will be few and far between.

And its importance should not be underestimated.

Three League wins on the trot, up to fifth and just two points off top – no wonder Turner departed on the long trip back to Shropshire a happy man.

Match analysis by JAMES GARRISON