Shrewsbury Town talking points after loss dents survival hopes

Given Stevenage were winless in four, it felt like a great opportunity for them to bounce back. 

Shrewsbury have shown some real quality with Gareth Ainsworth at the helm, and at times, offered glimmers of hope for saving their season.

But, the slender loss, their third in a week, was a painful blow to their survival chances.

The result was more agonising because it was simply an own goal that saw Stevenage condemn Town to their 20th league defeat of the season.

And, it could have easily been a different scoreline. 

George Lloyd was a workhorse and he tried his best to be a nuisance and put the Stevenage defence under strain.

In the end, he would have to try and latch onto balls over the top or come wide and cut in to shoot. 

But, the Town forward was unlucky not to earn his side a spot-kick and have a goal to his name.

From nowhere, in the 28th minute, Lloyd was presented with a golden opportunity, but his effort rebounded off the post.

You can understand why Town may have become desperate at this stage in the season, and they will have little care for how they win games and pick up points. But, when Lloyd seemed to be dragged down in the box on the stroke of half-time, many anticipated that a spot kick was coming, but to the groans of the home supporters, the appeals were waved away.

In the second half, as Town struggled to break down their opponents, a late resurgence saw Harrison Biggins hit the woodwork with his sweetly struck volley to add salt to the wound. 

Let’s hope Salop won’t rue their missed opportunities come the end of the season.

Ainsworth was keen to stress that Shrewsbury were solid in defence and kept shots at their goal to a minimum.

Bar his dive to try and prevent Aaron Pierre’s own goal, it was a quiet afternoon for Salop shot-stopper Jamal Blackman. 

Although Stevenage were able to work the ball with ease at times and find ways through the Town back-line, the hosts were able to shut down most threats to their goal.

Shrewsbury can take confidence that they were difficult to beat, but the manner they conceded summed up their struggling campaign and was extremely unfortunate.

Ainsworth himself admitted that playing John Marquis, Vadaine Oliver and George Lloyd in a front three did not work.

And, the extra attacker meant Town were without a midfielder, leaving too much space for Dom Gape and Alex Gilliead to cover. 

The pair had their work cut out and spent a lot of the game chasing the ball.

Top scorer Marquis also had a quiet and difficult afternoon, as did Oliver who was substituted after the break. 

Don’t write Shrewsbury off yet. They showed that - even when they are not at their best - they can create chances and trouble opponents. 

There are still nearly 40 points to play for this season, and there is no reason why Shrewsbury can’t string together some results.

If they can remain sturdy in defence and be more ruthless in attack, then Salop can claim a vital three points at Peterborough.