Analysis: Shrewsbury must learn a crucial lesson from poor Scunthorpe loss

Shrewsbury Town’s start to the second half at Scunthorpe did them out of a match that was there for the taking.

The visitors shot themselves in the foot with an all-at-sea 15-minute period after the break, where they simply switched off.

Frustrated Askey cut a disconsolate figure at full-time and was at a loss as to why his side were flat-footed and chasing shadows.

He did suggest that his side, perhaps, felt they just had to merely step out on to the pitch and the hosts would fold.

Instead, after new United boss Stuart McCall – probably – read the Iron the riot act at the interval, Scunthorpe were in Salop’s faces and a different animal for that crucial period.

But they were given a helping hand by the visitors who were nowhere near the level they should have been or the level they have produced for most of the season.

That period after the break was down there with the second half at Luton as the poorest under Askey.

Scunthorpe, without a home win going into the game and the side to have shipped the most goals in League One, dealt Town a lesson in delivering while on top.

The Iron made the most of their moment. They were only on top for a quarter of an hour, probably less than Town overall, but made the difference in the one stat that counts.

In truth it was a nothing game at Glanford Park that will not live long in the memory at all. Town have had some fine days there in recent years with Tyler Roberts and Jon Nolan’s quality shining through.

This time around it was the case of a lack of quality as Shrews were begging for someone to finish off some presentable positions.

For a 15 to 20-minute first-half spell Salop were too much for the Iron to handle and the angst in the stands was creeping on to the pitch as Town fans made all the noise.

It was easy to see why Scunthorpe were winless at home and had let leads slip. They lacked confidence and ability, they kept giving the ball away and were hounded by Town’s midfield – Greg Docherty and Ollie Norburn in particular.

Worryingly Shrews forged precious little chances to score and looked indecisive at the final moment.

The week before against Southend Askey’s men scored at great times to earn themselves a first win.

Here chances were at an absolute premium. In fact, it wasn’t until first-half added time that either keeper had a shot to save.

Askey knows that Town must create more chances, clearer chances, and be more ruthless.

Shaun Whalley had a shot blocked by a defender but Norburn was the more guilty party.

The summer signing from Tranmere has the reputation of a long-shot specialist but, when given glorious room inside the box after a nice first touch, his shot hit a defender.

Askey is right when he says those kind of chances need to be nestling in the corner.

Scunthorpe proved that it doesn’t take gilt-edged chances to score a goal. Town seemed to have dealt with a corner 10 minutes into the second period when Josh Morris’s left foot – so good it could open a tin of beans – curled in a delicious cross.

One-time Salop target Lee Novak helped it into the far corner. A simple goal that should’ve been dealt with.

Only on-loan Huddersfield shot-stopper Joel Coleman left with any credit. He proved his mettle to Town fans with two crucial one-on-one stops in the immediate aftermath of the opener as Salop threatened to fall apart.

Coleman kept his side in the game.

On another day Askey’s men would have levelled. To the boss’s credit, he switched to 4-4-2 by bringing Aaron Amadi-Holloway on the hour and Town looked better for it.

How Docherty failed to make it three goals in three games as he helped wide at the far post from a corner only he will know.

He may have been distracted by the penalty claim on Luke Waterfall directly before. Referee Andy Haines didn’t win any Salopian hearts on Saturday, but as Askey said – Town must not blame officials for the outcome.

Whalley was also denied by Jak Alnwick, another former reported Shrews target, while forward Lee Angol, who had a subdued afternoon, lashed wide after a rush of blood.

So it wasn’t for the lack of any decent chances in the second period, but again Town’s cutting edge was sadly lacking.

It became a familiar theme to earlier in the season. The same story.

It is a concern that, not for the first time, Shrews were unable to create or take chances while on top.

Scunthorpe could barely clear their lines in the first half and insisted on giving the ball away at every possible point while their visitors zipped it around very smartly in the middle third.

But there was something missing in the final moment. There didn’t seem much of a presence in the opposition penalty area and wingers Whalley and Alex Gilliead were uncharacteristically quiet.

Town must learn their lesson from days like this one as they cannot afford too many more against teams of Scunthorpe’s ilk.

It is OK saying the Iron were unimpressive and didn’t roll Town over, but they got the win. Their bit of quality and nous in the final third shone through.

It was time to build a bit of momentum after a first win but any of that was shot in the foot. Askey is right that elements of the display were positive, but you cannot keep living on that.

One step forward and two back for Salop.