New hero, new hope as Shrewsbury Town clinch last-gasp winner - match analysis

The Sheffield United striker's last-gasp winner, just a few hours after his loan move to Greenhous Meadow was announced, capped a remarkable Town comeback which breathed new life into their League One survival struggle just at the moment it appeared all hope might be lost.

It also put a fitting finish on a thrilling end to a largely insomnia-inducing game, which sparked to life when Andrew Davies scrambled Bradford in front with 12 minutes remaining.

Town levelled through Jon Taylor a minute later, setting the scene for Miller to grab the headlines with just seconds left on the clock.

The 26-year-old couldn't have written the script better and the long-suffering Town faithful will hope his arrival will bring a belated upward curve on their campaign's character arch.

Shrewsbury's season has been a film without a leading man to this point. Many have tried out for the role – no fewer than 13 loan forwards – though until now none has fitted the bill. Miller just might.

His goal did not so much remove a monkey as an entire zoo off the team's collective back, as they avoided by seconds the ignominy of equalling a record of 11 home games without a win.

It also brought a first home win for boss Mike Jackson and banished a host of other horrid statistics which have been building up over the course of the past four months. It meant for the first time since Gozie Ugwu put them ahead against Oldham on November 26, they actually led a game at home.

True, Davies' opener means Town have still not scored first in a game since New Year's Day but there is time to put that right. No better place to start than Carlisle tomorrow night.

Saturday's win changed the complexion of their struggle against the drop. When Bradford led they were drifting five points adrift of the safety mark but the turnaround, coupled by other dramatic finishes elsewhere, brought them back within striking distance.

Tomorrow's game now takes on mammoth importance, as it pits together two teams who would have had very different emotions on Saturday night. While Shrewsbury celebrated, Carlisle were reflecting on a 4-1 drubbing off bottom club Notts County – themselves six games without a win beforehand.

Town must now look to pile on more misery and ensure Saturday's win becomes a springboard for survival and not just a rare bright spot on an otherwise drab campaign.

With renewed vigour in their step, the upcoming fixtures suddenly seem inviting. Tuesday's trip is followed by a clash with rivals Walsall at the Banks's Stadium next Saturday. Dean Smith's side have been victorious in both previous encounters this season but are on a stinking 10 game winless run which has stalled their season.

Then comes a home game with Stevenage, an away game with Tranmere, before Crewe visit the Greenhous for the last in a trio of six pointers. There can be no denying Town's fate is in their own hands, it's up to them to take it.

Whether Jackson, learning on the hop in his first managerial role, chooses to shake things up tomorrow in his team selection remains to be seen. But the fact Saturday was for 78 minutes a rather forgettable game should not be ignored. It was sparked to life by Town's substitutes, of which Miller was not the only one.

Surely the excellent Bahrudin Atajic must be close to starting after having a hand in both goals. It was the Celtic loanee who helped create the equaliser with an excellent run through the middle and in stoppage time he rose at the far post to direct Paul Parry's cross into the path of the waiting Miller.

Jackson was also boosted by the return of Aaron Wildig in midfield to add some much needed guile after more than two months out injured. Unfortunately, his arrival came at the expense of David McAllister, who was forced off with his own injury after a late challenge from Bradford midfielder Matthew Dolan.

The woes of Tom Eaves also continued. To be fair, the Bolton loanee started the game brightly but just like on Tuesday night at Colchester fell away dramatically as it progressed and his confidence visibly waned. His substitution brought ironic cheers from the home fans and it is possibly time for him to be rested for his own sake, along with forward partner Sam Foley, who also struggled to make an impression on proceedings.

And though the win was deserved, it should not be ignored it came against a Bradford side which displayed a distinct lack of interest for most of the game. Phil Parkinson's side, seemingly of the view they are comfortable in mid-table, appeared to be already planning their summer holidays. That will not be the case for many of Town's forthcoming opponents.

You sense whatever unfolds in the coming weeks, it will not be easy viewing.

Town should have got their noses in front during a bright opening half hour in which they took the game to the visitors though, tellingly, the only real save of note came when home keeper Joe Anyon was forced to parry Aaron Mclean's sharp volley.

The lack of conviction in front of goal, which has earned the hosts the lowest scoring record in the division was evident in a far post Eaves header which sailed wide of the post. When Connor Goldson did get a header on target it was cleared off the line, while Tamika Mkandawire also saw a goalbound header blocked and Asa Hall tested Bantams stopper Jon McLaughlin with a dipping drive.

With half an hour gone, the entertainment level dropped dramatically as both sides huffed and puffed.

Town had the best chance after half-time when Goldson somehow headed over from three yards but for a long time the second half felt like an accident waiting to happen and it duly arrived 12 minutes from time when the Bantams snatched the lead.

Dolan's corner – the fourth in succession for the visitors – was cleared back out to him and he whipped in a cross which Davies poked home ahead of a stranded Anyon.

It appeared to be a hammer blow for Town but rather than accept their fate they spent the next 16 minutes erasing 119 days of home hurt.

Atajic was instrumental in creating the leveller within 70 seconds, picking up the ball in midfield and racing forward before feeding Jermaine Grandison who squared for Taylor to prod home.

Half-chances came and went during a frenetic close but with just seconds of stoppage time remaining the game looked done. Then Goldson pounced on a clearance near halfway and strode forward before slotting in Parry on the left. His cross was headed back across goal by Atajic to Miller, who swivelled and sent a shot past McLaughlin into the bottom corner, prompting pandemonium in the stands.

And why not? New hero, new hope.