Comment: Shrewsbury fall just short – for once

Just a fourth league defeat of the campaign. A feeling Shrewsbury fans have been enjoying not having to suffer.

The Ewood Park side were comfortable 3-1 victors. It might have gone the other way, on a different day, but for once this season the Gods were not smiling on Town.

And so Blackburn Rovers should be seeing off Shrewsbury Town. Their backing, resources, facilities, talent, strength-in-depth. It almost makes a mockery of the competition.

But Shrewsbury aren’t second in League One – and still ahead of Rovers despite the defeat – for no good reason. Town mix it with the best in this division despite just fractions of the outlay.

Paul Hurst’s men were some way from their best as a 10-match unbeaten run was ended by Tony Mowbray’s side, who made it 15 league games undefeated – matching Shrewsbury’s record this season.

Too many six and seven out of 10 performances meant the hosts had the upper hand. Blackburn are in fine fettle at the moment and only strengthening during the transfer window. Town had to go to Lancashire near their swashbuckling best to be in contention.

It did not quite come off in one of only a handful of times Town have failed to rally this season. Unfortunately the fantastic near-1,400 following were not rewarded with another memorable day. Not that they were complaining, they have had enough to shout about this season.

There should be no knee-jerk reaction. Hurst’s side are punching miles above their own weight. Shrewsbury are fighting the big guns.

A lot is going on in the world of Shrewsbury Town at the moment, and while the boss was keen to insist cups are not a distraction and the league is the priority, the number of games is heavy and the squad options are light. Glamour and love for the FA Cup aside, Town could do without the packed schedule.

Shrewsbury do not, generally, put teams to the sword and win games comfortably by three goals or more. Their victories are tight – 13 from 16 this season have been by one goal.

Town have recently beaten struggling sides Oldham, Blackpool and Southend by the odd goal. Coming to a fortress of a rival was never plain-sailing.

And Hurst had admitted on many occasions that, one day, edgy games will not go your way. Shrewsbury lacked the cutting edge to carve a resilient Rovers open and were not their usual watertight selves at the back. Conceding three goals for the first time in all competitions this season backs that up.

Still, Town must take confidence that, before and after the half-time whistle at 1-1, they were every bit in the contest.

They were good for a point following Jon Nolan’s penalty and only a quickfire double after the hour had them on the back foot and too punch-drunk to respond – this time.

After defeat Shrews remain in the automatic promotion spots. They still boasting a healthy buffer to falling out of the play-off ranks.

Conceding the goals they did hurt. You could see that in the players as former Premier League palace Ewood Park erupted.

You could see it in Dean Henderson, who, goaded by rival fans, responded and lost his cool.

What was also telling was the fantastic reception the away fans gave Hurst and his players at full-time. Town battled, but this time it went against them. And how many times can you say that this season?