Scunthorpe 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 - Report and pictures

Shrewsbury Town completed a second-half turnaround in the snow to make it five away wins in a row and climb to within two points of leaders Blackburn, writes Lewis Cox at Glanford Park.

A Jon Nolan strike hauled Town level shortly after the restart before sub Stefan Payne converted a penalty - won by Nolan - on the hour.

Dean Henderson, beaten early on by a Josh Morris free-kick that had more than a helping hand from the terrible Beast from the East wind, then made a penalty save from Morris before half-time to keep his side in it.

Paul Hurst’s side’s turnaround lifted them back into second and just two points off top spot. The victory felt significant as Shrews profited from both Wigan and Blackburn, who were not in league action.

The full-time celebrations contained sheer joy and belief in the hardened away crowd. Belief that this team will fight all the way.

Analysis

Town’s flying away form included wins at Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood and Charlton.

Hurst and Shrewsbury held fond memories from their previous trip to North Lincolnshire, as Freddie Ladapo struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory to end Scunthorpe’s unbeaten home run of 14 months.

Hosts Scunthorpe, while still sitting fifth in League One prior to kick-off, had endured a miserable run of form since the turn of the year - particularly on home soil.

The Iron were without a win at Glanford Park since New Year’s Day and had also not kept a clean sheet in all competitions since January 1.

Hurst opted for the same starting XI that coasted past rivals Walsall last weekend, with the only change in the Town 18 the inclusion of Sam Jones on the bench.

Former Town loanees Ivan Toney and Ryan Yates, who have impressed since joining the Iron from Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, were included by Alexander from the off.

Bitterly cold conditions with a swirling wind meant the hosts kept frost covers on for as long as possible until kick-off. The game was never in doubt but constant flurries from the ‘mini Beast from the East’ made for a tricky backdrop.

There was nothing inside an unremarkable first five minutes in terms of football action as the sides attempted to adjust to the weather.

There was a moment to savour, however, in the stands as both sets of supporters rose to applaud in memory of Leo Joseph, son of Town defender Joe Riley and his partner Kayleigh, who was stillborn earlier this week. Shrewsbury were looking to respond to a sad week that also brought the death of club legend Ken Mulhearn.

But there were ominous signs as Henderson and his back four suffered a lack of communication and Ryan Yates could not turn home from long range.

The swirling winds caught Shrewsbury defence out again from another long ball. Toney rounded the stranded Henderson and went down under pressure from Toto Nsiala outside the Town box to the left.

Nsiala was only booked, with covering defenders present, but the worst was to come.

One for the football bloopers DVD. Dead ball maestro Morris - and the entire Glanford Park crowd - thought he had got it all wrong. The winger put far too much on his left-sided free-kick and it appeared to be sailing over. The crowd groaned, Morris put hands on his head and Henderson waited to watch the ball sailed over his crossbar.

Except the Beast from the East took hold, sucked the ball in and dropped it into the far corner. The most bizarre of goals.

Town continued to struggle with the wind as Morris whistled his next free-kick just over the angle. The a moment of brilliance among the harsh conditions. Duane Holmes thunderd a volley against the angle or bar and post with Henderson nowhere near.

The visitors looked like grabbing a foothold with Jon Nolan beginning to take hold of the ball but Town were lacking a killer run into the final third.

A couple of extremely half-hearted penalty appeal, including one after a tremendous Alex Rodman - were all Town fans had to shout about. Though, to their credit, they rallied right behind Hurst’s men.

Chances kept coming for the Iron. Cameron Burgess headed wide while unmarked. Ben Godfrey then drove a fine low effort just wide for Shrews.

A tough time went from bad to worse for Shrewsbury as Godfrey went down midway through the half. He headed straight for the tunnel with what appeared a calf complaint. On came Stefan Payne as Town went two up top.

Conditions worsened and Glanford Park was covered in snow before half-time, while the swirling wind made for near-impossible visibility. Balls were getting held up in the air. It was not a spectacle.

Things evened out with neither side able to carve out presentable openings in the almost comical settings.

But Henderson kept Town in it before the break. First he saved superbly went clear one-on-one with the Shrews keeper. He stood up strong.

Then, three minutes before the break, the hosts were awarded a spot-kick. Carlton Morris’ heavy-handed approach on Toney judged an infringement by official Michael Salisbury.

Morris was booked for his protects as the visitors argued their case. Scunthorpe were busy debating through each other who would take the penalty. Josh Morris saw off interest from Toney.

His powerful penalty was straight down the middle and Henderson kept it out and held on to the rebound.

Town were very happy to take the one-goal deficit at half-time.

But things were very different 15 minutes into a frenetic second period.

Hurst’s men began to look threatening. All of a sudden it was the Iron defence not up to the task.

As the snow stayed away Salop came out to play. They looked a threat aerily through C Morris and Payne - but it was a stunning piece of football that hauled them level.

Lovely play on the left flank from Morris, Rodman and Nolan ended in Town frontman Morris backheeling to release Nolan in the box. Approaching goal and Gilks, Nolan kept his composure to nutmeg the keeper with his left foot six minutes after the restart.

Confidence swept through Town sails. Shaun Whalley almost squeezed in at Gilks’ near post before Town did the business again.

Just ahead of the hour mark a half-cleared Whalley corner dropped to Nolan on the far left corner of the box, He spun on a sixpence, fooled Toney and was tripped by the ex Town loanee.

Up stepped sub Payne, at the same end Henderson denied Morris, and Payne hammered into the top corner. The top scorer’s 12th goal of the season and his first league goal since December 23.

Shrewsbury were accomplished and did not panic with their lead. They were confident on the ball and, for the most part, kept their hosts at arm’s length - aside from a couple of long-range efforts and dangerous set-pieces.

The away crowd were having the time of their life, willing Scunthorpe attacks away from Henderson’s goal.

Hurst’s side, for the umpteenth time this season, showed admirable strength of character to recover from a first-half setback, where they found life tough in North Lincolnshire, to beat the elements and their hosts.

Key moments

2 - Lovely applause on two minutes for Joe Riley, Kayleigh and their family in memory of baby Leo Joseph.

8 - Goal Scunthorpe. Comical goal as Josh Morris’ free-kick appears to be flying miles over but the wind sucks it in at the far post. Odd.

10 - Morris then sends a fizzing free-kick just over the angle.

12 - Duane Holmes sensational first-time volley cracks the woodwork.

26 - Cameron Burgess heads Morris’ corner just wide for the Iron.

40 - Big save Dean Henderson to keep out Morris who escaped one against one.

42 - Penalty. Carlton Morris on Ivan Toney after some wrestling from a corner. Morris steps up and lashes his penalty at Henderson who stands up strong to save. Sensational.

51 - TOWN GOAL! Stunning move. C Morris backheels for Nolan inside the box and the midfielder slots in left-footed between Gilks’ legs.

59 - Penalty. Nolan brought down by Toney. Sub Stefan Payne over it. Hammers it into the top corner as Town turn it around.

69 - Stunning J Morris free-kick for Iron. Destined for top corner but great Henderson save.

73 - Stinging Funso Ojo drive flies just wide of Town’s goal.

82 - Abu Ogogo almost adds to recent not streak in front of goal but his deflected volley hits the bar.

Teams

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

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Lowe, Thomas, Jones, B Morris, John-Lewis.

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2):

Subs not used: Watson (gk), Clarke, Townsend, Adelakun, Goode, McGeehan, Wootton.

Attendance: 3,824

Referee: Michael Salisbury