Bristol Rovers 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 - Report and pictures

Paul Hurst’s men sent 700 Shrewsbury fans into raptures with an incredible late salvo from Alex Rodman stealing the three points for tireless Town - who just never give up.

It was Town's first win at Bristol Rovers in 18 attempts dating back to November 1969.

Rodman, sent on as a sub 15 minutes from time, won the ball, darted beyond two challenges to the byline and shot in via the far post. The cross-shot seemed to be helped over the line at the back post by the charging Toto Nsiala.

He was in the right place to convert but it was Rodman's magic for the assist.

The winger, dropped in Town’s only change, danced around defenders in a superb bit of skill and technique.

All three goals came in the second period. Omar Beckles had broke the deadlock with his first goal for the club after the hour but Joe Partington's deflected effort replied for the hosts, leaving the unlucky Craig MacGillivray wrong-footed.

In a game of little excitement, the final seconds were something else as Town made changes, pushed for a winner and it came in phenomenal style.

The goalscorer was unclear as Rodman fizzed an effort to the back post. It might have got a touch off a team-mate, it might have gone in via the post - Town fans cared not one bit.

Other plus points on a damp and otherwise miserable day in Bristol was the debut of Nathan Thomas, selected from the off. The Sheffield United loan man was superb.

As were the immense, immovable objects of Abu Ogogo and Nsiala.

The win sent Town back into second, two points above Blackburn who lost at Plymouth, while Hurst’s men boast a game in hand.

Analysis

Following a busy deadline day, including the arrival of three new players and the departure of one, Hurst was pleased to get back to the bread and butter.

One of those fresh faces, Nathan Thomas, was included from the off at the open stadium, where visiting Town fans were open to the elements.

The Sheffield United loanee was Hurst’s single change from last week’s success at Fratton Park.

Fellow newcomer Sam Jones, signed from Grimsby, made the bench. There was no selection for the third addition, Abo Eisa, who did travel with his new team-mates. Luke Hendrie, Joe Riley and Arthur Gnahoua were also omitted from the bench.

It was the hosts who headed into the clash in impressive form. Unbeaten since Boxing Day, they have climbed to 11th and not been defeated in six. Darrell Clarke’s men were keen to avenge the 4-0 thumping at Montgomery Waters Meadow in October.

Clarke described Hurst as manager of the season in the game’s build-up, and suggested the visitors were overachieving.

Rovers included new signing Tony Craig, the experienced centre-half, in their backline as skipper and Welsh international Tom Lockyer missed out injured. Fellow new signing Kyle Bennett, born in Telford, was named on the bench.

Thomas, who had played just 16 minutes of league football with the Championship Blades this season, showed little signs of needing time to settle.

Inside 10 minutes the visitors were zipping the ball around in slick fashion on the sodden surface. Some one-touch football got the away fans’ spirit as Town showed confidence and ability.

Jon Nolan was dictating with his effortless gliding style while Abu Ogogo and Ben Godfrey were not giving the home midfield a moment’s peace.

Town were not forcing shots on goal but were getting themselves in enticing positions. Thomas was on the front foot, keen to take Joe Partington on as well as send early balls in search of Carlton Morris.

Shrews were unable to gamble on a ball into the box, notably when left-back Omar Beckles had a centre cleared, before Thomas flashed beyond his full-back to the byline and pulled a fine ball back, only for Rovers to clear.

Town’s early intensity wore off midway through the half but the hosts looked limp going forward and incapable of creating much beyond Rory Gaffney’s energetic running.

It took until 34 minutes for the a clear opening - and Shrewsbury should have been celebrating. Shaun Whalley whipped in a free-kick, Toto Nsiala headed across goal and Morris side footed wide unmarked from six yards. The striker lay poleaxed on the turf, hands on head at his miss.

To their credit, the Gas tried to threaten the Town backline. Chris Lines had dragged well wide before Nsiala’s immense block on Liam Sercombe’s strike. Nsiala was dominant in the air, clearing a number of high balls.

Sercombe then shot miles over the top.

The early intensity and threat had fizzled out of Town’s display, but creating a clear opening from a set-piece gave hope that the Gas were there for the taking.

The Mem pitch was not helping matters in a forgettable affair. It looked in a sorry state and was more and more cut up as the afternoon wore on.

Attacking towards their own fans, Town looked to give 700 travelling Salopians something to cheer.

Thomas sprung into life in front of the Shrews faithful. Taking a ball from Nolan on the hour, beating Partington and stinging the palms of Adam Smith, who did well go keep hold.

Three minutes later and the deadlock was broken. Nolan had been tagged and from Whalley’s superb free-kick delivery in steamed Beckles to glance an accurate header into the bottom corner.

The delivery was spot-on. Beckles merely had to climb and guide it.

His first goal for Shrewsbury, following the similar achievement of James Bolton at Pompey last week.

But the lead lasted merely 100 seconds as Partington’s low shot from outside the area squirmed through a number of bodies, taking a nick of Nsiala before wrong-footing the unsighted MacGillivray.

How often do you see opener’s immediately pegged back? Hurst will be disappointing with the ease in which Rovers made their way into Town’s box.

Thomas’ debut was soon to end as he was withdrawn for Rodman but there was still time for more direct dribbling and a fine low cross that Ogogo could only scramble wide.

The fresh legs of Rodman and Stefan Payne were sent for by Hurst who was looking for a winner.

Jones was then handed his Salop bow from the bench with seven minutes to play.

Ogogo somehow pinched the ball off a Rovers body as they looked set to snatch a winner.

But the winner went the way of the visitors. In a chaotic and confusing fashion - but it was the latest in a memorable old season.

Key moments

21 - Rory Gaffney drags well wide from distance in the game’s first attempt on goal.

30 - The hosts want a penalty as Gaffney pings off Toto Nsiala in a 50-50 shoulder charge in the box but Trevor Kettle waves play on.

34 - Massive chance for Carlton Morris but he can’t guide on target from Nsiala’s knockdown after Shaun Whalley’s right-sided delivery.

35 - Nsiala stands firm to block Sercombe’s drive from the edge of the box.

37 - Some ingenuity from Jon Nolan by the corner flag finds Morris who flicks well to Whalley inside the box on the right angle. The winger struck a fierce effort but it was toward nobody and flew across goal.

60 - Nathan Thomas shoots low at near post but Adam Smith saves well.

63 - TOWN GOAL!! Omar Beckles climbs to guide home Shaun Whalley’s delivery for his first for the club.

65 - Rovers goal. Joe Partington’s strike from the edge of the box goes through a bunch of bodies and Craig MacGillivray’s legs.

89 - GOAL!!!! Unbelievable skill from sub Alex Rodman, to beat two men, reach the byline and fire in either off a team-mate or the post. What a winner.

Teams

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2 diamond):

Smith; Partington, Craig, Broadbent, Bola; Lines, Clarke © (Bennett, 56), Sercombe, Sinclair; Harrison, Gaffney (Mensah, 79)

Subs not used: Slocombe (gk), Brown, Sweeney, Nichols, Telford.

Shrewsbury Town (4-1-4-1):

MacGillivray; Bolton, Nsiala, Sadler, Beckles; Godfrey; Whalley (Jones, 83), Nolan, Ogogo ©, Thomas (Rodman, 74); C Morris (Payne, 74)

Subs not used: Rowley (gk), Lowe, B Morris, John-Lewis.

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Attendance: 9,380 (700 Shrewsbury fans)