Paul Parry apologises to Shrewsbury Town fans after FA Cup exit

Acting captain Paul Parry and goalkeeper Chris Weale admitted the near-900 travelling fans deserved to see better than the 3-1 defeat on Saturday.

Town manager Graham Turner, who spent 15 years at Edgar Street as chairman and manager, saw his side beaten by his old club for the first time in four matches since switching sides in 2010.

Parry was handed the armband with Asa Hall preferred to regular skipper Matt Richards, who was dropped for the first time this season, but admitted he would rather have had a win.

He said: "It was a big honour to captain the football club but I would have sooner swapped it for a place in the next round.

"First and foremost, we apologise for the performance. It wasn't acceptable and good enough but, with the games we have coming up, we are going to need their support. We can't dwell on this.

"Everybody in the dressing room knew that it was a very poor performance, you can't start a game like that.

"It's a reoccurring problem and teams are going to suss us out if we can't get out of the blocks.

"If we don't put it right soon, things are not going to get any better for us."

Weale, who had two loan spells with Hereford in 2007 and 2008 but only played a game each time as he was recalled and then injured, was helpless to halt the slide from between the sticks.

Shrewsbury conceded two goals in the first 12 minutes and a late penalty, rendering Luke Summerfield's goal inbetween meaningless.

The Shrews shot-stopper said: "The FA Cup is a very special competition and it's gutting to go out of it, especially in the first round.

"They were massively up for the game and maybe we were still on the coach for the first 12 minutes. We started very badly and we didn't react well enough.

"It's a local derby, the fans came in their numbers and it means a lot to them.

"To lose in that way is gutting and you can only apologise to the fans."

Town signed Julian Bennett on Friday on a month's loan from Championship club Sheffield Wednesday but the defender was not involved on Saturday.

The 27-year-old recently suffered the loss of his mother and has been left out until he is ready to play.