Ollie Westbury analysis: A mixed bag of emotions as Shrewsbury earn a reward

That is frustrating in itself. But there was a shared feeling from the moment Bolton got that second goal, to draw the game level, with just under half-an-hour to find a winner, they would go on to win the game.

The Toughsheet Community Stadium is a challenging place to play and the home fans were roaring their side on to find a winner – a goal that would have seen them win four consecutive matches.

But Paul Hurst’s side showed determination and fight to weather the Bolton storm and see the game out for a valuable point.

There were tremendous blocks put in by Funso Ojo, Aaron Pierre and some wonderful saves made by goalkeeper Toby Savin, and that was what allowed Shrews to get over the line.

It was the first time this season that Salop have gone away from the Croud Meadow and returned with something and after their first-half performance, it is hard to reason that it was not deserved.

The start to this campaign has been less than ideal, with Salop taking five points from their opening 10 games, which is one of the worst starts in their league history.

But they showed a different side to their game on this occasion against a team that has undoubted quality.

Supporters will be frustrated they squandered a two-goal lead. Performing well in the first half of games and then not being able to maintain it after the break was a familiar tale in this game.

But Bolton were poor before the interval and they were always going to come out in the second half and lift their game.

Hurst made four changes to his starting XI at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, including a change in formation as they switched to a back three as they tried to kick-start their League One season.

And it was that system which helped Town to a bright start. They looked assured in possession as John Marquis headed the game’s first chance wide.

But it was a defender, in the form of Josh Feeney, who gave Salop the lead just before the midway point of the opening half – his first goal since joining from Aston Villa in the summer. The ball fell to him in the box after Jordan Rossiter’s shot was blocked and his right-footed effort went in beyond Luke Southwood in goal.

Shrews were in dreamland just seven minutes later when Jordan Shipley – who returned to the starting XI for this clash – scored an incredible second.

It was almost a carbon copy of the goal he scored at the very same ground earlier this year as a corner was hit to him on the edge of the box, and after taking a touch, he smashed it into the top corner.

The second goal appeared to awaken the hosts, who started to put some pressure on Hurst’s men. Szabolcs Schon saw a fierce strike saved by Savin, while Victor Adeboyejo saw an acrobatic effort go just wide.

Bolton came out after the break and immediately halved the deficit. Kyle Dempsey went through on goal, and after turning Ojo inside out, he finished calmly with his left foot. A goal that was later revealed to be offside – a decision Hurst bemoaned at full-time.

But regardless of that fact, there was nothing wrong with the second as the hosts drew level.

Dempsey with a ball to the back post, it went through a crowd of bodies, and Schon was there to apply the finishing touches.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure as the game wore on as Town struggled to get any control back.

Ojo and Pierre made vital blocks and Josh Sheehan saw a deflected effort go wide as Bolton searched for a winner.

Town seemed to weather the Bolton storm heading into the closing stages and went close to taking the lead again when Leo Castledine shot wide from a free-kick.

Eight minutes were added on at the Toughsheet Stadium and Savin did brilliantly to deny Aaron Collins in the closing moments as Town hung on for a point.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt created a side show at full-time when he was sent off after an altercation with Town’s stand-in captain Morgan Feeney.

That made the headlines in the national press – but should take nothing away from Shrewsbury’s battling point.

Town did pick up a few injuries, though. Shipley, who returned to the starting XI for the game, had to go off with an ankle issue. After scoring a goal with that quality they will want him to be fit for the trip to Crawley Town next week.