Shrewsbury Town analysis: Salop show some mettle to leave TV bosses disappointed

Simply put, they probably fancied that a cup upset would make for good television and, with the lowly league position placing them under scrutiny, Salop appeared vulnerable to such a fate - a common occurrence for many heavyweights down the years in the world's oldest club competition.

Sutton had already seen off AFC Telford United in the first round and were clearly in the mood for toppling Shropshire sides. Here was a levelling stage; under the lights, in wet and windy conditions and, of course, in front of many cameras providing coverage to all sorts of numbers around the country.

To best guard against the threat of a televised upset, Appleton stuck with the XI who got the nod and, for large periods, deservedly led the Gills a week ago but, quite frankly, the first half showing did desperately little to allay any anxieties supporters might've had that this tie had the hallmarks of a giant killing.

Make no mistake, this was a perhaps inopportune time to cross Sutton who, despite the inferior league position in the English footballing pyramid, came into this in flying form under relatively new boss Chris Agutter. They'd won six and lost just one of their previous 11 matches and were clearly in no mood to be intimidated by anybody.

That became apparent over the course of an uncomfortable opening 45 minutes. Indeed Sutton looked the only of the two sides who were even interested in scoring and, dare we say it, more like the EFL side in the tie.

After an undoubted rollicking from the boss at the break, though, there was an unmistakable injection of impetus from those in black shirts.

They failed to make use of that improvement in performance, though, and that will always leave you susceptible to shipping one at the other end. You won't see too many like Kai Jennings' opener, from a corner kick, and honestly at that stage Town could've crumbled.

There was a familiar sinking feeling after falling behind again on the road and, with the home fans' tails up, it was a situation which required determination and professionalism, all against the backdrop of an increasingly fiery environment.

Sutton were deserving of their praise at this stage; until the goal, aside from that short period after the restart, they'd been in control of proceedings, had impressively moved the ball through the lines and past the attempted press of Town.

There might've been an obvious superiority in terms of league placings, but this was far from straightforward for a Shrewsbury side whose struggles away from Croud Meadow this term have been well documented.

Indeed with a man fewer in the closing stages, their away form in mind and the lack of an obvious and consistent goal threat throughout this night, you wouldn't necessarily have placed a wager on Shrews coming through this challenge - but manage it they did, with quality, intelligence and no shortage of nous in the closing stages.

Ismeal Kabia netted a stunning stoppage-time equaliser before the hosts’ David Ogbonna saw red.

John Marquis struck early in extra-time and after Sutton had been reduced to nine men following the sending off of Junior Eccleston, Shrews saw the job out.

You could say that Appleton saw a side to his team here, in the manner of their victory, that he wouldn't have been exposed to had they simply turned up and swept aside their inferior hosts.

Digging it out at the death and having to come from behind to progress, coupled with the simple fact that they were away from the comforts of home, required fighting qualities which will in turn stand Salop in good stead when they return to their bread and butter action of League Two this coming week.

Appleton must take credit too, for his changes in the second half which successfully helped to change the game in Town's favour, but there'll be a substantial amount of gratitude afforded to Will Brook in goal, who excelled throughout to keep his side in it - and, in some cases, his own teammates from putting through their own net.

Grimsby loom large, and that'll remain the sole challenge on Appleton's mind having overcome this hurdle - but by then they'll know their third round opponents. Who knows? Maybe it'll be their turn to try and force an upset in front of the TV cameras.