Shrewsbury Town boss miffed at Ian Black ban

Black served the first of a two-match suspension in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Scunthorpe, after picking up his 10th booking in the 2-1 win over Coventry last Tuesday.

Mellon claimed the club weren't told the former Scotland international was suspended until 4pm on Friday. Jordan Clark replaced the 30-year-old in midfield as one of two changes.

But Mellon claims they were initially wrongly informed he would be available, before the game's ruling body performed a U-turn.

He explained: "I was a bit disappointed because we never found out until 4pm on Friday that he was suspended.

"The FA are to blame – they told us he'd be available, then they came back to us at 4pm on Friday and said they had two records for him.

"We had done all our team preparations since Tuesday with Ian Black in the team, because we were told he'd be available.

"Then all the players had gone home and I'd worked on the team for however many days to be told he wasn't available.

"We had to re-arrange everything and someone else had to come in. I just don't think it's professional. But the players rallied."

Saturday's point made it seven unbeaten for Shrews in the league.

It extended the gap from the drop zone to 17th-placed Town to nine with 10 games left, after six of the seven teams below them lost.

Sullay Kaikai handed Salop the lead but mistakes led to goals for substitute Kyle Wootton and Paddy Madden.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro struck in the fifth minute of time added on, although Andy Mangan was claiming he had got the final touch to bring the scores level.