Report: Former Shrewsbury Town boss returns to haunt them on Halloween

Gareth Ainsworth came back to haunt former club Shrewsbury Town on Halloween as Gillingham snatched a late victory at the Meadow.

Returning to the ground he left amid controversy in March last year, Ainsworth enjoyed a happier homecoming as Andy Smith’s winner with 10 minutes remaining condemned Salop to defeat.

George Lloyd had hauled Town level before the hour after a nightmare start, but the visitors struck late to end Shrewsbury’s recent upturn in results.

Prospective director Brad Friedel was again in attendance at the Meadow, watching on as the club’s takeover edges towards completion.

It was a horror start for Shrewsbury, who fell behind inside three minutes. A sloppy opening was punished as Conor McManus exploited space down the left before picking out Harry Waldock in the box, who finished clinically from six yards.

There was drama on the sidelines, too, as Ainsworth played the villain on his return to the Meadow. Town supporters had been relishing the reunion, eager to get one over on their former boss after he jumped ship last year with nine games of their League One campaign remaining, leaving bottom-placed Salop to join the Gills.

Shrewsbury responded well but struggled to find a way through. Sam Stubbs came closest, only to see his close-range header brilliantly saved.

Gillingham remained dangerous on the counter-attack, with Ronan Hale proving a persistent threat. His ambitious long-range half-volley failed to trouble the target before Will Brook spared Town another fright late on, producing an important stop to deny Hale from close range.

Salop emerged from the break with renewed purpose and struck at a pivotal moment just before the hour mark.

Tom Sang went down after neat footwork inside the box, earning Town a penalty. Lloyd, back in the squad after being hospitalised with a neck injury during last weekend’s draw, made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending Ollie Wright the wrong way.

The goal came amid a poignant moment of unity, as supporters of both clubs paid tribute to Richard Green, who represented Shrewsbury and Gillingham before his recent passing.

Brook continued to keep Town in the contest, making another superb save to deny McManus as Gillingham searched for a winner.

Clear-cut chances were limited, but Ainsworth’s side made their late opportunity count. Bradley Dack’s delivery towards the back post struck the crossbar and fell kindly for Smith, who converted from close range to deliver a cruel late blow.

For Salop, it was a bitter Halloween ending as a familiar face returned to inflict another fright.