Shrewsbury Town player ratings: How Salop fared in derby defeat to Walsall

Couldn’t produce the decisive interventions that defined recent wins and was unable to keep out either goal. A couple of nervy moments under pressure summed up his afternoon.

Beaten: 6

Kevin Berkoe

Offered attacking intent down the right early on and asked questions of the defence, but struggled to influence proceedings consistently and couldn’t help prevent decisive set-piece damage.

Energetic: 6

Luca Hoole

Has been one of Salop’s most reliable performers this season, but his afternoon was cut short after a knock just before half-time halted his growing influence.

Injured: 6

Will Boyle

Endured a difficult battle with Aaron Pressley’s physical presence and couldn’t help quell the set-piece threat. Also headed wide when chances came his way in the box.

Overpowered: 5

Josh Ruffels

A testing afternoon defensively was compounded by a stoppage-time dismissal, the full-back shaking his head after the decision capped an increasingly difficult outing.

Sent-off: 5

Mal Benning

Linked neatly with Morgan on the left and showed flashes of attacking promise, but too often found his progress stalled by disciplined defending in key moments.

Frustrated: 5

Taylor Perry

Operating deeper, he showed willingness to dictate tempo but couldn’t seize control. His only notable attempt was blocked, and he never truly imposed himself creatively.

Quiet: 6

Tom Sang

Provided several inviting deliveries from set-plays and kept probing, yet a dragged late effort typified an afternoon where quality moments failed to translate into reward.

Involved: 6

Sam Clucas

Deployed higher up to orchestrate attacks and press the back line, he worked diligently between the lines but couldn’t provide the spark or decisive pass required.

Subbed: 5

George Lloyd

Put in the hard yards with persistent runs and physical duels, yet rarely looked like scoring and was eventually withdrawn after struggling to trouble the back line.

Busy: 5

Iwan Morgan

Salop’s standout performer again, levelling with a superb free-kick before the interval. His long throws and energy caused problems, continuing his impressive loan spell.

Influential: 8

Subs: Sam Stubbs (for Hoole, 48), 6, Trey Ogunsuyi (for Morgan, 59), 6, Tommy McDermott (for Sam Clucas, 59), 6, Ismeal Kabia (for Mal Benning, 68), 6, Nick Freeman (for Taylor Perry, 68), 6. 

Not used: Brook, Anderson.