Calls for Shrewsbury Town to be more ruthless after late FA Cup scare

Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan was clear on respecting the opposition and taking “no chances” in potential Cup banana-skin.

Town wasted no time imposing their will early on, with George Lloyd firing an effort back across goal and forcing a good save just three minutes in, writes Kieran Gallop.

Although there was a noticeable drop-off as the hosts got their bearings, Shrewsbury controlled the game from the get-go and imposed their Football League prowess on their National League opponents with composed possession.

However, Salop failed to take advantage of their will being imposed until late in the first half when they were awarded a penalty.

“We wanted to show respect to the opponents. They’ve got some very good players who have played at a higher level than this and could probably wish to get to this level again. We didn’t want to leave anything to chance.”

“We knew that if we were going to win the game, and get to the next round, we had to be at our best”

“There was a big moment of doubt.” Lloyd conceded after watching his penalty crash off the inside of the woodwork before ricocheting into the back of the net.”

That is now six goals in all competitions this season for the 26-year-old, who has already surpassed his tally from the previous two seasons with Salop and marks his most prolific campaign since breaking into senior football at Cheltenham.

After taking the lead, Shrewsbury continued to be in comfortable control of the contest, with McMahon-Brown striking the woodwork at the near-post just after the break.

But despite being the domineering force in terms of creating chances, Shrewsbury failed to kill off the contest and left the door ajar for their opponents.

“You’ve got to be ruthless. You’ve got to have this mentality to win the game ahead of time and in the 70thminute be 2/3-0 up.”

Ultimately, it was a brief spell of three minutes of pressure following a triple substitution made by Eastleigh that led to the concession of an equaliser by the Shrews.

Cowan spoke of how he felt the game had gotten slightly too comfortable for his players, perhaps leading to a momentary lapse in concentration.

“That element of comfort played a part. We kept trying to drive that intensity but it is very difficult.”

“There was a bit of a lapse in concentration. You’ve got to be ruthless at that end as well.”

Despite this, the Shrewsbury boss stated that the belief in his side winning the game never wavered, even after the equaliser and brief onslaught.

“I had no doubt. I said to the lads to keep playing the way that we’re playing and that quality will shine through, and that’s what you saw.”

Cowan went on to praise the rapid nature of his team’s response.

“It was needed. I think that was the only shot on target or even their only shot on goal all game.”

“Everybody loves an FA Cup run. Financially it’s amazing for our Football Club but equally it’s brilliant for the lads’ CV.”