Shrewsbury Town 2 Everton u21s 1: Youngster bags last-gasp winner in front of Brad Friedel

Teenager Jeval Thompson-McKenzie struck his first Shrewsbury Town goal for a stoppage-time EFL Trophy winner over Everton under-21s - as prospective director Brad Friedel watched on at Croud Meadow.

The 19-year-old academy graduate pounced in stoppage time to turn home after Everton’s youngsters had pegged the hosts back.

On-loan Leicester City midfielder Michael Golding had earlier lit up Shrewsbury’s group E finale with his first goal for the club, a stunning half-volley into the top corner.

All the action played out in front of the watching Friedel, prospective new Shrewsbury director as part of Miami-based business Scott Davidson’s US consortium, who are in the final stages of a takeover from chairman Roland Wycherley.

The last-gasp victory continues the good form for boss Gavin Cowan, who made 10 changes in an altered side featuring youngsters and squad players. Energetic and drilled Shrewsbury impressed and were good value for the victory, which keeps hopes of qualification alive when the group’s other outfits complete their schedule.

Town were indebted to debutant goalkeeper Sam Proctor - the Villa loan teenager back from injury - for a stunning sixth-minute save to deny John Dodds’ effort from a low corner.

Everton saw all of the ball in the opening stages and looked bright but they struggled to break through a diligent and resolute Shrewsbury 4-3-3.

The hosts’ hard work and pressing drew a first effort of note as Isaac Fletcher - playing amid his League Two ban - saw a curled strike beaten away unconvincingly Toffees goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley.

Shrewsbury’s experienced heads showed their quality when the opportunities came and midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke, also suspended in the league, struck the base of the right post from a free-kick. Hugo Aiston, the 16-year-old on his second Town start, had some bright moments.

Town’s Joe Gbode got up well but saw a header land wide of the post from a corner.

Everton were lively in spells through Shea Pita and Harvey Foster as Proctor was busy with another couple of saves before Harry Brookes fired wide from a tight angle after half hour.

Cowan’s side started the second period in spectacular fashion should have led through debutant Jay Snook.

The chance was made by Aiston working back towards his own corner flag. He released Gbode, whose fine effort was parried poorly by Barnsley. Snook rounded the keeper but missed his chance to tuck in by turning back and defenders recovered.

It mattered not a minute later. Everton did not get the ball away and, eventually, a half-cleared Fletcher cross dropped to Golding whose half-volley from 22 yards was exquisite as it rocketed into the top corner.

Bright Shrewsbury were inches from a second as Fletcher’s fine dipping strike looped over a stranded Barnsley but bounced off the upright.

Gbode had another headed chance but found Barnsley’s hands from one of several fine Lino Sousa deliveries from the left.

Everton sent a warning note that they were still in the tie with 15 minutes left as substitute Benjamin shot wide from range after getting the wrong side of Town’s midfield.

The impressive Turner-Cooke sent a free-kick over the top as Cowan’s men looked for a killer late second.

Shrews were made to pay late on as their slender lead was wiped out with six minutes left.

Nice interplay saw Benjamin into the penalty area on the right and he finished excellently beyond Gregory.

Everton could have won it in normal time but Braiden Graham’s low effort dropped inches wide before Gregory held well from George Finney.

But the dramatic victory wen the way of the hosts, through a substitute youngster who has been on the scene for several years.

Thompson-McKenzie, introduced in the 82nd minute, had only been on 10 minutes but departed the hero. His header looked bound for the net before a fine Barnsley save was turned behind.

And Thompson-McKenzie was in the right place to turn in from a Hall header from Turner-Cooke’s corner to wild celebrations at the Meadow.

Shrewsbury (4-3-3): Proctor (Gregory, 46); Jude-Boyd (Falding, 46), Lee, Hall, Sousa; Turner-Cooke (c), Fletcher, Golding (Rattray, 76); Aiston, Gbode, Snook (Thompson-McKenzie, 82).

Subs not used: Hoole, Tait, Kameni.

Everton u21s: Barnsley, Carrington, Pita (Benjamin, 66), Finney, Graham, Gardner (c), Dodds, Loney, Foster, Brookes (Bates, 55), Matos.

Subs not used: Patrick, Tamen, Samuels-Smith, Van Schoor, Gomez.

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis.