Jon Taylor's handball sees Wolves clinch late victory

And the vast majority of the record-breaking crowd could have been forgiven for feeling equally disappointed after seeing their team emerge empty-handed following an inspiring display against their more illustrious neighbours.

Much had been made of Wolves' talent-packed side and particularly their attacking prowess in the build-up to Saturday's long-awaited clash.

But Graham Turner's underdogs had matched Wolves for 84 minutes when the pivotal moment arrived.

Replays of the incident, which happened at high speed, appeared inconclusive and Taylor took to Twitter to express his disappointment at the decision and his sorrow for the home fans, writing; "Feel like crying. Dont believe it.

"Just seen the clip about 23 times someone tell me where it hit my hand????"

It certainly felt like rough justice for both Town in general and Taylor in particular after both had contributing greatly to a very entertaining game.

The hosts were given an early scare when Wolves frontman Bjorn Sigurdarson chased down Connor Goldson's poor backpass and blocked Chris Weale's goal kick inside the first minute.

The ricochet fortunately went wide of the goal and although the Icelandic striker would twice more go very close for the visitors before the break, Town shaded the first half in terms of chances created.

Weale was also forced into a sixth minute save from a powerful Bakary Sako strike, as the game began at an exciting pace.

But Town midfielder Aaron Wildig did superbly to hold off the challenge of two markers before ending a winding run with a low strike which Carl Ikeme had to be quick off his line to smoother.

Shrewsbury weren't intimidated by the more esteemed visitors and Curtis Main fizzed a confident long range effort only a few inches wide from distance after a good through ball from Connor Goldson.

Town's momentum increased, as did the noise level inside the ground which contained a club record league attendance of 9,510, when Ikeme unconvincingly parried a testing Jon Taylor cross.

And the midfielder will probably feel he should have scored seconds later from Adam Reach's excellent left wing cross.

The ex-Wigan Athletic youth player made a firm connection with the ball deep inside the box but the Wolves custodian did well to make the vital block.

It was a let-off for Wolves, who were out to avoid a second straight derby defeat following Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Walsall.

But that looked decidedly on the cards when both defender Ryan Woods and Reach went close with long range efforts.

Woods' effort, from all of 35 yards, was a big indication of the home side's growing confidence while Reach's strike, which drifted just wide, was the product of some brave and industrious midfield play from Luke Summerfield. But having failed to make the most of their 20-minute purple patch, Wolves came back into the game strongly before half-time.

Goldson had a clearance charged down by Leigh Griffiths, which Weale quickly seized before the Scotland international could get as shot away.

And the Town custodian did well to block Sigurdarson's close range effort 12 minutes before half time.

But he could do little about the striker's header a minute later, which came back off the post.

And Sako had Town fans' hearts in mouths when he flashed a ball right across the home penalty area, albeit with none of his team-mates moving quickly enough to profit.

At half-time both sides were applauded off the pitch after an entertaining and even exchange, but an upset looking like a distinct possibility.

The second half began with robust challenge by former Town loanee David Davis which temporarily flattened Aaron Wildig.

And Davis would earn the games first booking for a very late challenge on Taylor with 15 minutes remaining.

Fortunately the game contained relatively few heavy challenges otherwise in a derby match of high quality.

Griffiths' attempted bicycle kick finish, from Golbourne's sweeping right wing cross was not too easy on the eye as it flew high over the cross bar soon after the break though.

And both Sigurdarson and Kevin McDonald were also guilty of wasting chances for the visitors who improved after the interval.

But only Main will know how he did not put the hosts in front just after the hour mark.

Taylor, who along with Reach was causing Wolves several problems on the flanks, looked to have laid the opener on a plate for the Boro forward.

There may well have been an unkind bobble at the last minute but it was a chance that looked easier to score and the kind that, if missed, will come back to haunt you, as proved to be case.

Kenny Jackett's double substitution with 25 minutes to go, swapping Zeli Ismail and Griffiths for ex-Town man Dave Edwards and Jake Cassidy, was an indication that Wolves needed a lift at this stage.

And they had seemed to be running out of ideas as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

Summerfield was also guilty of missing another good chance for the hosts with 13 minutes left, heading another threatening Taylor cross inches over the bar.

But it was to be in vain as Sako made no mistake from the penalty spot to snatch the points in a game that had until then, looked destined to finish all square.

As an occasion, this was one to savour, with an electric atmosphere and a performance, if not a result, to match from Town against quality opposition.

But the manner of the defeat will leave a sour taste for home supporters, even though the performance was sweet.