Bromley 2-1 Shrewsbury Town: Salop narrowly beaten by League Two leaders

Shrewsbury Town missed the chance to officially confirm their League Two safety with a narrow defeat at title-chasing Bromley.

Town took the lead inside just six minutes as Bradley Ihionvien capped a superb run with his first goal since returning from injury.

However, league leaders Bromley - unbeaten at home - fought back through Marcus Ifill’s late first-half equaliser and a deflected effort from Kyle Cameron four minutes after the restart.

Salop still hold a comfortable 11-point advantage over the relegation zone with just four games remaining.

The fixture, moved to Tuesday evening for television coverage, marked the first Football League meeting between the sides at Bromley.

Having beaten Barnet 3-1 in September, Town were aiming to secure consecutive away league wins against London opposition for the first time since a run of three between 2016 and 2018.

However, they faced a stern test, with Bromley unbeaten in their previous 20 home league games. Coincidentally, the last team to record a longer unbeaten home run from the start of a League Two campaign were Shrewsbury themselves, who went 23 games without defeat in the 2011/12 season.

Gavin Cowan made one change to his side, with Will Boyle rested and replaced by Tom Anderson. Otherwise, Salop were unchanged.

With the cameras on them, Town made a bright start.

Josh Ruffels spurned a golden early opportunity, firing over on the volley at the back post, but the visitors continued to apply pressure.

Anderson, returning to the side, played a crucial role in breaking up a Bromley attack in the sixth minute, and his clearance led directly to the opening goal.

Latching onto the ball, Ihionvien held off Marcus Ifill before driving forward from the halfway line and powering his finish past goalkeeper Grant Smith.

The away end erupted as Ihionvien celebrated his first goal since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. Smith was left frustrated as the ball slipped through his legs.

Town continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Iwan Morgan was denied by Smith, while John Marquis had the ball in the net but was flagged offside.

Salop battled hard under increasing pressure. Ashley Charles came close for Bromley, firing just wide from outside the box.

The hosts’ pressure paid off seven minutes before the break when Ifill made amends by turning in at the back post from a corner to level the score.

Just four minutes into the second half, Bromley completed the turnaround. A cleared free-kick was recycled into the box, where Town failed to deal with the danger, and Cameron’s effort took a heavy deflection off Anderson, diverting the ball beyond Cox.

Shrewsbury struggled to create many opportunities in the second half, leaving Smith largely untested. Isaac England’s late volley was comfortably saved and Bromley held on to win.

Lineup

Shrewsbury Town: Cox, Stubbs, Anderson, Ruffels, Kabia, Ojinnaka (Clucas, 63), Freeman (Perry, 56), Berkoe (England, 79), Morgan, Marquis (Scully, 79), Ihionvien (Lloyd, 63).

Unused subs: Brook, Lee.

Referee: Abigail Byrne

Attendance: 4,780 (307)