Shropshire Star

Lack of leaders to blame for Scunthorpe loss, says Shrewsbury boss John Askey

Shrewsbury boss John Askey blamed a lack of leadership in midfield as a sluggish opening to the second half cost his side dear at Scunthorpe.

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The Iron enjoyed their first home win of the season while the 1-0 defeat leaves Askey’s men with just one win from their first nine League One games.

Town narrowly edged a largely dull first period but failed to test home goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.

But Shrews failed to emerge for the second period and were chasing shadows when the hosts edged ahead on 55 minutes. The visitors created decent openings in response later on but could not find a leveller.

Askey said: “I just thought for 10 minutes in midfield in the second half we didn’t compete. One or two were standing around waiting for others to take charge and that is what cost us ultimately.

“The goal we conceded was disappointing. As a team we’d not got up high enough and stayed in our 18-yard box.

“I thought we were the better side first half. They’re buoyed from their (previous) win and you think it’ll be a tough 45 minutes. But I would’ve said we were the better side first half. It’s disappointing to come away with nothing.”

Askey’s men were on the ropes after falling behind and only two fine saves from Joel Coleman in one-on-one positions kept the scoreline at 1-0.

The boss added on his shot-stopper: “I thought he did well. I thought there were times when we were trying to push for that goal that he made a couple of good saves, some one-on-ones.

“He’s done really well. He’s improved since he came here and had a good game.”