Analysis: Shrewsbury Town made to pay for not killing off Stoke City tie and must find killer touch

A 1-0 home lead, as it was for most of the second half, did not flatter Sam Ricketts’ men who were good value for their advantage.

Gary Rowett left a couple of first-teamers out but still had the depth to use eight full internationals in his starting XI. Let’s be honest, this was a match he could ill-afford to lose – and a former England international at the age of 37 came off the bench late on to, in all likeliness, save his job.

Shrewsbury set their stall out and, for the most part, Stoke had no answers. Town were very good off the ball. They would’ve liked to have been better with it, but had enough to edge ahead through a fair penalty.

It was a shame from a Salop point of view that they must wait to, hopefully, confirm just a fifth fourth-round place in 30 years – the replay at the Bet365 Stadium will follow a week tomorrow.

But Town should have had the tie done and dusted before Peter Crouch even entered the action on 74 minutes.

The fact that they missed a glaring opportunity to put the game to bed shows why a centre-forward, and one that knows where the net is, will be high on Ricketts’ January shopping list.

This is not to solely criticise Aaron Amadi-Holloway for his bad second-half miss or suggest that he alone cost Shrewsbury progression – because the powerful frontman was superb after being introduced and influential for the hosts.

It is also tough to say Town didn’t show their more clinical side with their 10-goal top scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie suspended. But Town lacked, and have been lacking for a while, the telling touch in the final third.

That does not lie completely with centre-forwards, although it is the main area, but it is in midfield too, as well as out in wide positions, that Town need to increase and improve their end product.

Amadi-Holloway is not prolific but is very strong in the air. Nine times out of 10 he puts that header away, but – despite good performances – has not netted regularly enough.

Strikers proven at putting the ball in the net are the most valuable players in the game and, therefore, the best go for the most money to the bigger and best clubs.

The likes of Town are left scrapping over an undiscovered gem, like an Okenabirhie, a striker showing signs of capability in League Two, or a promising loanee from top-level clubs.

There are players of sufficient quality out there and it is pivotal Town bring in at least one of them this month to share the load.

The return of Shaun Whalley from his latest injury – successive muscle problems have kept him out since late October – will be a boost for Shrews’ productiveness in front of goal.

He can be rash in delivery but his pace, movement and vision get Salop in great positions so often that Town will benefit.

Ricketts was keen for a striker at the beginning of the window and now, given the likely serious nature of Lenell John-Lewis’s injury, the need appears to have increased.

It could be that more than just the one body is required to fill that void. It may leave Town in a position to bring in one ‘goalscorer’ and one forward who deals in the rough and tumble physical nature of League One.

It appears Lee Angol won’t be the answer. The summer signing is struggling for game time and was only given the final five minutes against Stoke, where he was less than convincing.

There have been numerous occasions in Ricketts’ seven games in charge where Town have lacked conviction in the final third, be it an incisive pass or accurate cross – so the boss will also look for a key player that can iron out those issues.

As for their display against Stoke, much like the trip to the Stadium of Light seven days earlier, Town and Ricketts must be credited for getting the game plan spot on and sticking to it to the detriment of their opposition.

It wasn’t an easy task for Stoke, away at a lower-ranked side in the FA Cup is seldom straight-forward, but when the manager is under all sorts of pressure and a raucous away section are baying for blood, it gets seriously tricky.

Rowett deserves credit as his triple roll of the dice late on led to the equaliser with Tyrese Campbell, Mama Biram Diouf and Crouch all combining.

Town’s organisation, shape and work without possession meant they deserved to hold on to the 1-0 lead Ollie Norburn handed them from the penalty spot right on the stroke of half-time. Stoke did not test Steve Arnold after the break as Shrews restricted the Potters to wayward efforts from distance.

There was very little worry inside Montgomery Waters Meadow that the visitors would summon an equaliser, even with such a narrow deficit.

But when the experienced nous of somebody like Crouch arrives, you know he only requires one chance.

Ricketts said after the game that Town need to improve on their final moment and be more clinical. This match, and others before it, will confirm to him the type of attackers needed through the door.

A final word on John-Lewis, who went off with a horrible-looking injury early on.

You could not find a more respected player at the club and his injury hit the players hard – so hard that they did well to recover, Anthony Grant said players had tears in their eyes.

John-Lewis, sadly, has been there before and has battled back. If it is a repeat of knee ligament damage then it’s incredibly unlucky and it comes at a dreadful time for him.

It is understood players are devastated by his injury and, hopefully, Town can rally and keep his spirits high.