Shropshire Star

Carabao Cup: Shrewsbury Town 1 Burton 2 - Report and pictures

Shrewsbury crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking as Burton came from behind to make it three defeats from three for John Askey, writes Lewis Cox at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

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The hosts took the lead inside 30 minutes through Shaun Whalley but were pegged back on the stroke of half-time as David Templeton forced a Joel Coleman error and Lucas Akins converted a penalty conceded by Luke Waterfall after the hour.

Askey’s men were unable to create any meaningful late opportunities to level as the new boss now looks to Saturday’s big visit of Blackpool in League One for a first positive result as Town chief.

Town made just the one change from the last minute reverse at Charlton as club captain Lenell John-Lewis - who scored the opening goal for Shrewsbury under Askey - came in for the the injured Aaron Amadi-Holloway (groin).

There was still no place for Mat Sadler, dropped at Charlton for new captain Waterfall and Askey opted for the same backline against the Brewers with Omar Beckles partnering the new signing from Lincoln.

Oliver Norburn, Greg Docherty, Ryan Haynes and Waterfall were making their Meadow bows. Deadline day signing Lee Angol was in a Shrewsbury squad for the first time as he made the bench.

There were no places for Abo Eisa, Arthur Gnahoua, Doug Loft, Luke Hendrie, Sam Jones or Zak Jules on the bench.

Remarkably, Town were playing their first League Cup tie against lower-ranked opposition since 1995 when then Division Two Shrewsbury faced Division Three Doncaster.

Nigel Clough’s Brewers named a strong line-up, aside from talismanic striker Liam Boyce - who ruptured his ACL at the Meadow last summer - who made the bench.

Albion have only made three summer signings so are not blessed with a raft of options. They, like Town, have lost their opening two League One fixtures.

Askey took his position on the touchline just in front of the home dugout and prowled the technical area for the first time proper as Salop boss having served his two-match suspension for kicking a puddle and offensive language.

Coleman made a routine stop from Marvin Sordell in the game’s early stages before Shaun Whalley’s lively run saw a shot deflected behind.

Town worked their way into the tie, with the vocal backing of the South Stand which contained the safe standing’s rail seating, and showed some neat touches and moves as they monopolised possession.

The game had entered a lull but was brought to life 27 minutes in. James Bolton had just made a crucial interception to stop Templeton scampering away before Town broke on the visitors.

And it was Bolton who played a lovely measured through ball through the Brewers’ defence for Whalley to burst on to and fire first time over Stephen Bywater from the inside right of the box.

Lift off for Shrews at the Meadow under Askey and the boss celebrated with an emphatic punch of the air.

Bad luck hit Salop shortly after as new-boy Norburn struggled to overcome an early knock and limped off to be replaced by Charlie Colkett on half hour.

Impressive Town midfield Docherty, on loan from Rangers, caught the eye with some fine runs and should have put Shrews 2-0 just before the break but Bywater denied him one-on-one with his outstretched leg.

The hosts were made to pay seconds later as Templeton cut inside from the left, made his way into the box and sent a disguised near post strike beyond Coleman into the corner. The keeper would have been disappointed with his efforts.

As in the previous home game against Bradford, Askey’s men were dominant just after the break.

Docherty wasted a decent opening from a smart, short free-kick by scuffing an effort when afforded presentatable space.

Sub Colkett lashes a fierce left-footed effort six inches over the top shortly after as Town cranked up the pressure.

But Askey’s men were caught just after the hour mark as skipper Waterfall was adjudged to have illegally blocked Scott Fraser inside the box.

The incident looked innocuous enough but there were sufficient appeals from the visitors and Akins made light work of slotting the spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

Askey responded by sending on Fejiri Okenabirhie for John-Lewis, who had been unable to provide a spark for his side.

Shrewsbury were given a lifeline as Fraser swivelled and lashed over from close range when he should have sealed Brewers progression with 20 minutes to go.

Town were comfortably playing through the midfield and wings and creating opportunities to send in crosses but were falling at the final hurdle.

Burton at the other end were being more efficient with their opportunities as Akins headed on to the roof of the net before sub Liam Boyce sent a bullet header narrowly wide when the tie should have been sealed.

With 10 minutes left striker Angol came on for his Town debut. He went up front with fellow sub Okenabirhie as Town pressed to create a meaningful chance.

But Shrews created nothing and fell at the first hurdle.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3):

Coleman; Bolton, Waterfall ©, Beckles, Haynes; Laurent (Angol, 80), Norburn (Colkett, 31), Docherty; Whalley, John-Lewis (Okenabirhie, 69), Gilliead.

Subs not used: Arnold (gk), Kennedy, Sadler, Grant.

Burton Albion (4-3-3):

Bywater; Brayford, Buxton ©, McFadzean, Turner; Fox, Fraser (Hutchinson, 77), Sbarra (Hodge, 90); Sordell, Akins, Templeton (Boyce, 64).

Subs not used: Campbell (gk), Harness.

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Attendance: 2,708 (127 Burton fans)