Analysis: 154 days and counting - Shrewsbury Town's away struggles refuse to budge

Since Town last won a league match away from the Meadow, the nights have drawn in, the clocks have gone back, Bonfire Night fireworks have fizzled out, Christmas has come and gone, a new year has begun and the long grind of winter has taken hold.

Yet for all that seasonal change, one thing has stubbornly refused to shift: Salop’s inability to secure points on their travels.

Saturday’s defeat to play-off chasing Colchester United was the latest reminder of a problem that, at full-time, stretched back 154 days to a September victory at Barnet.

Five consecutive away defeats, just one road win all season has left Shrewsbury hovering precariously, only two points clear of the League Two relegation zone.

Upon his arrival, Cowan spoke about Salop’s drubbing at MK Dons, where they fell behind early and were three down at the break. 

“That’s not a game,” he said. But it was a similar failing that cost his side here in his first match in charge on the road.

Conceding twice in the first-half left Town with too much to do and, despite late pressure, they lacked the quality and cutting edge to turn possession into goals.

Cowan was forced into a single change, with Sam Stubbs ruled out by a minor knee injury and Ismael Kabia drafted in as his replacement.

Stubbs had been key to Salop’s shape and authority just a week earlier on his return against Barnet, and his loss was felt early on.

Kabia was caught on the byline inside the opening minutes, allowing Rob Hunt to dispossess him before Samson Tovide’s low cross was turned home by Will Goodwin.

It was a gutting start, and seeing Salop fall behind early has become all too familiar to travelling supporters.

Town attempted to respond quickly, with Cowan a constant presence on the touchline, urging his players to be braver in possession.

Sam Clucas let fly with a volley that was blocked, but his afternoon was cut short moments later after picking up a knock. Forced off in the 18th minute, he was replaced by Taylor Perry - a potentially significant loss given Clucas had played every league game up to this point.

Despite the setbacks, there were positive signs. On his third consecutive start, Matt Cox produced an excellent full-stretch save to deny Arthur Read, while George Lloyd headed over from a promising position as Salop looked to reassert themselves.

That momentum was halted shortly before the break when Read struck a superb left-footed effort into the top-right corner from distance, leaving Cox with no chance. It was a stunning goal, though one Salop might reflect on as preventable earlier in the move.

Gavin Cowan’s water bottle endured a more eventful afternoon than most, repeatedly launched and retrieved along the dugout as frustration grew.

The new head coach was animated and vocal throughout, urging and demanding more as the game went on. It was a visible measure of how deeply invested he already is. 

Yet if the bottle became a casualty of the contest, belief never was. Right until the final moments, Cowan continued to will his side forward, his voice carrying as loudly in the 90th minute as it had in the eighth.

There was a shared feeling on the pitch that one goal might change everything, that momentum could yet swing their way.

It never came. But Shrewsbury spent much of the second-half camped in Colchester’s territory, showing far greater attacking intent than they had managed in Cowan’s opening match in charge.

John Marquis came closest early in the second period as he headed into the side netting. Otherwise, the forward was unable to connect cleanly with balls over the top, leaving the home goalkeeper largely untroubled.

George Lloyd ran, as he always does, working tirelessly for the team and latching onto loose balls, but he too was unable to trouble the goal.

The Salop substitutions at least offered further flickers of promise. Several made a case for greater involvement in Tuesday’s crucial clash with Barrow, none more so than Iwan Morgan.

Introduced for the second game running after starting on the bench, the youngster brought urgency and creativity - qualities that stood out.

Supporters also got their first glimpse of Kevin Berkoe, who looked sharp and could offer Cowan valuable versatility moving forward.

Attention now turns quickly to Tuesday night and a meeting with fellow strugglers Barrow that carries huge significance in Salop’s fight to retain their Football League status.

Both sides are keenly aware of what is at stake. While Salop’s wider form remains a concern, results at the Meadow against teams in and around them have offered encouragement.

When it has mattered most, Salop have tended to rise to the occasion on home soil and secure vital points. 

Defeat at Colchester, frustrating as it was against a strong side, will not define their season. Instead, it is matches like Tuesday night’s, against direct rivals, that will ultimately shape their fate.