Shrewsbury 1-2 Blackpool - Town fall to first Gareth Ainsworth defeat
Gareth Ainsworth fell to his first defeat as Shrewsbury Town boss as Blackpool came from behind to win 2-1 at the Croud Meadow.
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Two goals in the space of five second-half minutes saw Town lose for the 12th time this season as they dropped to the bottom of the League One table.
Salop took the lead in one of the most bizarre ways in recent history at the Croud Meadow within five minutes.
Mal Benning sent a free-kick from well inside his own half into the Blackpool penalty area.
The ball bounced, got caught in the wind, and sailed over Harry Tyrer in goal, much to the amazement of everyone inside the stadium.
Steve Bruce's side were rocked by that initial setback, and Town pushed for a second only to struggle with the final despite some promising moments.
Blackpool did settle as the first half wore on, and they went close to an equaliser when former Shrewsbury defender Matt Pennington headered the ball at Toby Savin from a corner.
It was a windy evening in Shropshire, and the conditions seemed to cause havoc for both sides in a first half that lacked quality after such an unusual start.
Seven minutes into the second half Blackpool were level.
James Husband, the Tangerines skipper, fizzed the ball across the Town penalty area, and as Aaron Pierre tried to clear the ball, he inadvertently turned it into his own net.
And five minutes later, the turnaround was complete for Bruce's side as Josh Onomah's powerful left-footed shot beat Savin in the Town goal.
Salop had a couple of bright moments as the half wore on, but too often they either picked the wrong option or lacked composure when in dangerous positions.
Tommi O'Reilly, George Lloyd and Jordan Shipley came on as Ainsworth switched it up to get Shrewsbury back into the game, but Savin was busier in the Town goal as he got down well to deny Kyle Joseph's low shot.
Lloyd saw a header go over the bar in the final moments as Town could not find a way through.
TEAMS
Shrewsbury: Savin, Benning, Pierre, Nsiala, Hoole, Winchester, Perry (Shipley 83), Gilliead, Castledine (O'Reilly 77), Bloxham (Lloyd 77), Marquis.
Subs not used: Young, Rossiter, Ojo, Nurse.
Blackpool: Tyrer, Husband, Pennington, Evans, Morgan (Finnigan 83), Onomah (Thompson 77), Offiah, Apter (Gabriel 77), Ashworth, Joseph (Ballard 90), Fletcher (Bondo 83).
Subs not used: O'Donnell, Embleton.
