League One play-off semi-final second leg: Shrewsbury Town 1 Charlton 0 (Agg 2-0) - Report and pictures

Memorable scenes greeted the blue and amber heroes as they strode to a second deserved 1-0 victory in four days to send Lee Bowyer’s Charlton packing.

It was the least Hurst’s side deserved for the incredible 180 minutes across both legs were they were comfortably the better side.

Town, roared on by a stunning crowd of more than 9,000, produced another stunning second half and this time Carlton Morris was the hero.

On-loan Norwich man Morris netted his first goal since sending Town to Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy final two months ago.

Morris’ goal was the difference as he followed up Jon Nolan’s first-leg stunner to book a second Wembley trip of the season.

Shrewsbury Town will hope it is fifth time lucky. Elated fans covered almost inch of the turf as the full-time whistle pierced the air.

Town, in what many were labelling one of the biggest games in their history heading in the build-up, almost completely sold out their 9,875 capacity, some of which was lowered for television purposes.

The buzz around the Meadow for kick-off had reached fever pitch with both sets of supporters determined to sing their sides over the line.

Hurst unsurprisingly opted for an unchanged side and an unchanged bench from the side that performed so well in securing a deserved 1-0 lead in south east London on Thursday night.

By contrast Bowyer’s Addicks carried three changes. Notably there was a place for star winger Tariqe Fosu, who had been nursing a hamstring injury. Anfernee Dijksteel and Joe Aribo were also in from the off.

Blue and amber flags and banners made the Meadow look picturesque as the teams got their welcome - the sell-out Addicks away end did their utmost to drown out the home crowd.

The roars ahead of kick-off were deafening.

Little seperated the sides inside 10 minutes as both attempted to feel their way into the occasion and atmosphere. Town were typified as they superbly broke from an Addicks free-kick on the counter-attack but could not quite carve out an opening.

Alex Rodman was the first to test either keeper. His twist and volley at the far post got Ben Amos down low to parry.

But the opening half hour turned increasingly bitty, not that Hurst’s men minded, with official Jeremy Simpson’s whistle in over-time.

Town were willing runners on the break but the visitors posed a threat. Jake Forster-Caskey’s header was cleared and Nicky Ajose was superbly denied by a flying Toto Nsiala block.

The visitors grew in stature and were on top. But Hurst’s men made the better openings. Rodman was in on the left angle from Carlton Morris’ flick but Amos came out to narrow the angle well and deny.

Thursday’s hero Nolan then found himself racing down on goal in first-half added time but got his finish wrong.

Shrewsbury were relentless after the break as they stepped on the gas. Charlton could not get to grips as the hosts mounted attack after attack, cross after cross that somehow failed to fall to a blue and amber shirt. The Addicks were living on the edge.

Hurst’s men kept going and they got their reward shortly before the hour. A typically dynamic Whalley burst down the right saw the winger cut the ball back perfectly for C Morris, who lashed his left-footed finish underneath Amos. Cue Bedlam as the Meadow erupted.

It was the 22-year-old forward’s 10th goal of the season. He has celebrated none of his career to date like that.

The elation was such that a small section of Town fans spilled on to the pitch to enjoy the moment.

Bowyer chucked on ex-Town loan hero Sullay Kaikai as they went for broke and his acrobatic effort was hacked clear by Town. Big frontman Josh Magennis then headed wide.

The Addicks laid siege to Town’s goal as Henderson dropped a corner but Ben Godfrey heroically cleared twice from the line from Joe Aribo. Midfielder Forster-Caskey was then denied from distance by Henderson.

Town were still willing breakers and waved forward by Hurst and an animated Chris Doig. The Town heroes stormed into tackle after tackle.

Stefan Payne’s late miss from Nolan’s cut-back didn’t matter. Town were there.

This heroic set of Shrewsbury Town stars got the job done with their immense togetherness and commitment shining through. A truly special group of players.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-1-4-1):

Henderson; Bolton, Nsiala, Sadler ©, Beckles; Godfrey; Whalley (Riley, 89), Nolan (John-Lewis, 90+2), B Morris, Rodman; C Morris (Payne, 69).

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Lowe, Jones, Eisa.

Charlton Athletic (4-4-2):

Amos; Dijksteel (Sarr, 90), Pearce ©, Bauer, Dasilva; Aribo, Forster-Caskey, Konza, Fosu (Kaikai, 61); Magennis, Ajose (Mavididi, 68).

Subs not used: Phillips (gk), Kashi, Reeves, Zyro.

Attendance: 9,026 (1,568 Charlton fans).

Referee: Jeremy Simpson