Shrewsbury Town 1 Fleetwood 0 - Report and pictures

Paul Hurst's men piled on the pressure for large spells of the second period before they finally scored.

The result means they are now 15 games unbeaten in the league.

Analysis

Town, unsurprisingly, made no changes to the side that began the 4-0 trouncing of Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

The visitors had former Salop midfielder Bobby Grant on the bench while Devante Cole - son of ex-Manchester United star Andy - started up front alongside Connor McAleny, who has recently recovered from an ankle injury.

Heavy wind was whistling through the Montgomery Waters Meadow as the game got under way.

The weather was having an affect on the flight of the ball, and Town looked to use that to their advantage as they floated in a couple of corners early on.

Fleetwood's defence managed to clear both of Shaun Whalley's deliveries though, before the winger had the home side's first shot on target - his strike being easily gathered by the Cod Army's Alex Cairns.

Both teams were having plenty of possession in the middle of the park before things broke down in the final third.

Approaching the half-hour mark, Salop were having a little more joy going forward.

Fleetwood skipper Nathan Pond was caught out by the wind and Alex Rodman pounced. His half-volley went high and wide though.

The Cod Army, who are managed by former Manchester City man Uwe Rosler, were looking to frustrate the hosts by taking their time with throw-ins and goal-kicks.

That approach resulted in defender Baily Cargill picking up the first booking of the game in the 40th minute - taking way too long to take a throw-in.

Juts before the break, Junior Brown tested the reflexes of Cairns with a long-range strike and a close-range header.

It was not a great half, especially after all four goals against the Pirates came in the opening 45 minutes.

Town made a decent start to the second period as Whalley set up Carlton Morris, whose effort rolled into the hands of Cairns, before his strike was saved.

Whalley was the one making things happen for Salop and, just after the hour mark, his cross found Rodman at the back post. His shot was blocked though.

Hurst's charges were dominating - Fleetwood could not get out of their own half - and very nearly made a breakthrough as Abu Ogogo's volley went inches wide of the far post.

Salop made an attacking switch, bringing on top scorer Stefan Payne for right-back James Bolton, to try to force the issue.

They then made an enforced change as Brown went down clutching his leg after an attempted cross, with Omar Beckles coming on in his place.

Town made one final throw of the dice in the dying stages as Lenell John-Lewis replaced Morris.

And Salop got their goal, through an unlikely source, in the 89th minute.

Nsiala rose highest after Whalley's corner to head home over Cairns, who had crept off his line.

Five minutes of added-on time followed and Town held their nerve for a hard-fought three points.

Key Moments

24 - The heavy wind deceives Fleetwood skipper Nathan Pond. Shrewsbury winger Alex Rodman latches onto the loose ball but strikes it high and wide.

40 - Fleetwood have been time-wasting a lot in this first half. Referee Nicholas Kinsley has had enough and books Baily Cargill for delaying a throw-in.

61 - Shaun Whalley whips the ball to the far post, where Rodman's effort is blocked and then cleared from danger by the Cod Army.

69 - The closest Town have come to scoring. Skipper Abu Ogogo's acrobatic volley from the edge of the box rolls just wide of the far post.

73 - Junior Brown is down and in pain after trying to cross the ball into the box. Omar Beckles comes on for him.

89 - GOAL!!! Salop break the deadlock through Toto Nsiala. The big defender powers home with his head after Whalley's pinpoint delivery from a corner, sending the home faithful into delirium.

Teams

Shrewsbury (4-5-1): Henderson; Bolton (Payne, 72), Nsiala, Sadler, Brown (Beckles, 75); Whalley, Ogogo (c), Godfrey, Nolan, Rodman; C Morris (John-Lewis, 84)

Subs not used: Dodds, Gnahoua, B Morris, MacGillivray (gk)

Fleetwood (3-5-2): Cairns; Eastham, Pond (c), Cargill; Coyle, O'Neill (Grant, 63), Dempsey, Schwabl (Hunter, 75), Bell; McAleny (Hiwula, 63), Cole

Subs not used: Burns, Rodgers, Sowerby, Neal (gk)

Man of the Match

Toto Nsiala - Nothing got past him and his header saw Town continue their fantastic run. 8/10