Extra time heartbreak for blue and amber army in London
Thousands of Salopians were left proud but heartbroken after a late West Ham goal knocked Shrewsbury out of the FA Cup.
Three thousand Town fans travelled down to London to watch the side compete in the third-round replay, but after a tense 120 minutes it wasn't to be.
For more fan photos, see Wednesday's Shropshire Star in print and online
Town were playing the Hammers after drawing 0-0 at the Montgomery Waters Meadow nine days ago.
And the travelling blue and amber army watched 112 more goalless minutes before the deadlock was finally broken by West Ham youngster Reece Burke.
Neither effort nor support were to blame for the loss, with the Shrews working hard throughout normal and extra time as they were roared on by the travelling Salopians.
Fans had travelled down to the capital by train, car and coach all day in preparation for the 7.45pm kick off at the London Stadium.
Among them was Nathan Cavin, who said: "We're doing so well this season I feel an upset is on the cards.
"Even if there's a loss, it's the experience."
After a dominant performance against the Hammers at home, Town CEO Brian Caldwell sent a rallying cry to the blue and amber army before the game, calling for them to raise the roof at the former Olympic Games arena.
“We are absolutely delighted to have sold out our 3,000 allocation for the FA Cup replay,” Caldwell said.
“I personally didn’t expect anything like that number to travel on a midweek Tuesday in January so it's fantastic.”
Town will receive 45 per cent of the gate receipts from the London Stadium, where nearly 40,000 out of the ground's 66,000 seats were full.
The club has also profited from television money, after the home match was shown live on the BBC's Match of the Day.
In that sold-out tie, Shrewsbury were much the better team and the game only remained goalless thanks to the efforts of West Ham keeper and born-and-bred Salopian Joe Hart.
They dominated many periods of the replay too - with Stefan Payne having the best chance of the night - but failed to find the back of the net.
Nevertheless Shrewsbury matched the Premier League side for 202 minutes and, despite the loss, pride will be the dominant feeling for Town fans as they arrive home in Shropshire in the early hours of Wednesday.
