Analysis: Ismeal Kabia’s moment of magic caps Shrewsbury Town’s Gavin Cowan revival

Ismeal Kabia, take a bow. His stunning equaliser was one that will live long in the memory.

Shrewsbury Town once again showed the grit and fight that has become a hallmark under Gavin Cowan, clawing their way back to ensure they closed out their home campaign on a positive note.

There are late goals, and then there are moments like this. Kabia, with the clock nearly spent, delivered a sensational thunderbolt from distance to earn Shrewsbury a point - a strike as dramatic as it was extraordinary.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match. Instead, it salvaged one - struck with such ferocity and precision that it immediately enters the goal of the season conversation.

The Arsenal loanee may already have been in contention for his strike at Sutton United in the FA Cup earlier this season too. But he will score few as sweet as this.

Teammates swarmed him, the crowd erupted, and Fleetwood’s players could only stand and admire. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch remained rooted to the spot, watching helplessly as the ball flew past him into the top corner and crashed into the net.

And you sensed it was coming. Roared on by the home crowd for the final time this season, while it was not three points, it felt like it.

The draw means Town are now unbeaten in three games at home - and overall. It may have begun as a dead rubber, but as the game developed, Town found the fire that has underpinned their turnaround under Cowan.

That is now 27 points from a possible 54 under his guidance, and just three defeats in 20 home matches since his arrival. The numbers grow more impressive by the week.

The final game on home soil may well have marked the last appearance at the Croud Meadow for several players.

Defender Mal Benning is one of them. Introduced in the second half, he produced a lively display and played a key role in the comeback. He almost signed off in fitting fashion, his late low effort drifting narrowly wide.

Cowan shuffled his pack. Goalkeeper Will Brook made his first appearance under the Town boss, having not featured in the previous 18 matches, while Matt Cox dropped to the bench as part of four changes.

Brook was helpless for Fleetwood’s goals but otherwise commanded his area well, reinforcing the view that Town have two reliable options between the posts.

Isaac Lee retained his place following a solid debut and again impressed, his ability to carry the ball from defence offering further encouragement.

Teenager Will Gray, making his third consecutive start, left the pitch to warm applause after another assured display in midfield.

John Marquis twice threatened with headers in the first half, both gathered comfortably by Lynch.

A moment of misfortune put Fleetwood ahead just before the break. Brook did fantastically well to tip an initial headed effort onto the bar, only for the ball to drop kindly to Ethan Ennis, whose pull-back from a tight angle was inadvertently turned into his own net by Taylor Perry.

Frustration followed. Town felt Sam Stubbs had been fouled in the build-up, and moments later Tom Anderson appeared to be dragged down inside the box. The appeals were waved away, and Shrewsbury remain without a league penalty this season.

They responded with urgency after the interval. Iwan Morgan, who has impressed since arriving on loan from Brentford, forced Lynch into action with a powerful effort.

The loanee was again a creative outlet in the number 10 role, providing the spark required going forward.

But just as Town began to build momentum, they were exposed. Fleetwood struck clinically on the counter, with Crispin McLean arriving at the back post to double the visitors’ lead.

It might have ended there. Instead, it became something altogether different.

Shrewsbury responded with renewed conviction, and their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute. Substitute Josh Ruffels powered home from Morgan’s corner, halving the deficit and igniting belief.

And just when it seemed lost, deep into added time, Kabia changed everything.

From distance, with time ticking away, he latched onto a loose clearance and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. It was a reward for his tireless work throughout, repeatedly driving at the defence in search of an opening - this time making his impact from well outside the box.

In the context of a difficult campaign defined by a scrap for survival, this was a moment to savour. Another chapter in a growing catalogue of memorable moments under Cowan, and the book on 2025/26 at the Croud Meadow now closes with optimism.