Shrews 2 Havant & Waterlooville 1 (friendly)

Shrewsbury Town maintained their 100 per cent Joma South West Challenge Cup record with a tight victory over Havant & Waterlooville.

Goals from Lewis Neal and Tom Bradshaw sealed the semi-final success over their Blue Square Bet South opponents at Tiverton.

And, while their interest in the competition was ended with the decision of manager Graham Turner to withdraw ahead of the final, Town will be pleased to return to Shropshire with three wins under their belt.

The opener on Saturday arrived from Neal on 13 minutes, the winger stabbing home at the far post after good work from Steve Leslie.

Havant were a threat in the final third and trialist goalkeeper Ben Smith - again having the chance to impress Turner - was alert to keep out a strike from Mustafa Tiryaki.

Weaving

At the other end, Bradshaw saw a point-blank effort blocked by Havant goalkeeper Aaron Howe, before the impressive Jon Taylor went on a weaving run which ended with a shot flying just over the bar.

Havant had opportunities to draw level at the start of the second period with Bobby Hopkinson, Tiryaki and Sammy Igoe — who played against Shrewsbury for Bristol Rovers in the 2007 play-off final at Wembley — going close.

But Town gradually began to find their stride after the break and Leslie cut in from the right before firing just over the bar.

That proved the catalyst for a string of opportunities for Shrewsbury with Bradshaw and Neal twice going close to doubling the lead.

The match-clinching second goal arrived on 88 minutes when Bradshaw drilled a low 25-yard effort into the bottom corner.

Tiryaki volleyed home a right wing corner in injury time to give Havant a consolation, but Shrewsbury had already done enough.

Shrewsbury: Smith, Raven (McIntyre 46, Disley 73), Sadler, Hooman, Goldson, Cansdell-Sherriff, J Taylor, D Taylor, Bradshaw, Leslie, L Neal. Subs not used: Duyan, Trewick.

By JAMES GARRISON