Shrewsbury Town 1 Bristol Rovers 1 - Report and pictures

Last season’s 14-goal top scorer, who started for Askey’s Shrewsbury on the opening day before his deadline day exit, looked to have handed Rovers a route to an undeserved three points with his second-half spot-kick.

Rovers had left-back Joe Martin sent off for two yellows shortly after and the hosts took advantage with a precious equaliser with 18 minutes to go as Daniel Leadbitter put into his own net from Shaun Whalley’s fizzing cross.

Neither side have started the season well and a point against a lacklustre Gas side, also including former Salop man Alex Rodman, meant that Askey is now six league games into his Meadow career without a win.

His Town side were by far the better team, with midfield men Ollie Norburn and Josh Laurent starring, while the returning Aaron Amadi-Holloway caught the eye from the bench. But end product was lacking.

Full-back Ryan Sears made his Shrewsbury debut, with James Bolton injured, and did not look out of place in what was his senior Shrewsbury bow.

Analysis

Teenager Sears, 19, from Newtown was handed a shock Shrewsbury debut by Askey just a day after being recalled from AFC Telford United.

The right-back had not played any competitive football for Town but found himself up against a former Salop favourite in Alex Rodman, who was in Rovers’ first XI on his Shropshire return.

As was striker Payne, who began the League One campaign playing for Shrewsbury against Bradford just four Saturdays ago.

Both were offered good receptions by home fans.

Sears was one of three changes Town made from the previous league encounter with Luton. In came Norburn for just his second league start, replacing on-loan Rangers man Greg Docherty.

There was a return for defender Omar Beckles, again in his unfavoured left-back position, as he came in for Ryan Haynes.

Both sides were looking to kickstart a season that has not yet got up and running.

Darrell Clarke’s Rovers went in with a win and four losses from their five games with Askey’s men winless, having taken just two points.

Askey demanded a fast start from his side, who he felt have been sluggish at the beginning of home games so far this term.

And, with the Meadow atmosphere crackling at 3pm, the home side responded with an energetic and purposeful start.

Askey’s men created little inside 20 minutes but had most of the possession, look fluid on the ball and got themselves into good positions, albet without any end product.

Luke Waterfall and Mat Sadler were limiting the returning Payne to very little and, on the odd occasion he did manage a run off the defence, Town’s stoppers recovered superbly.

Sears saw a couple of early passes go astray but quickly settled into the game and made some decisive interceptions in important positions.

But the player standing out was midfielder Norburn. The record signing from Tranmere won every 50-50 he went for and played sharp passes as he looked to get his side moving.

Rovers were struggling to stay with blue and amber shirts and left-back Martin was the first to find himself with a caution after not keeping up with Whalley, whose delivery was slightly off in the final third.

Martin was not alone and was one of FOUR Rovers men in referee Antony Coggins’ book before half-time. Joining him were Tony Craig, Tom Nichols and Ollie Clarke, all for cynical pulls, blocks or trips.

Anthony Grant joined them. The sturdy defensive midfielder was again impressing shielding Town’s backline, using his body well. But he allowed himself to lose his rag at Nichols’ meaty challenge on Norburn - which brought another yellow.

There were not many opportunities to write home about but Norburn’s was the standout moment. Beating his man 30 yards out before letting fly with a stinging drive well claimed by visiting debut keeper Jack Bonham.

Rovers did briefly threaten down their left before half-time. An effort from a tight left angle was straight at Joel Coleman’s near post before a rebound trickled harmlessly wide.

Town were much the better side but, again, had nothing to show for it.

Askey’s men began the second period sharply and Angol, who had been on the periphery, swivelled and sent an effort at Bonham after more good work from Norburn and Josh Laurent.

But the mood inside the Meadow changed dramatically as, seven minutes after the break, Payne was handed the chance to break the deadlock from the spot.

It was the third time in seven games this season that Waterfall has conceded a penalty after games against Burton and Luton. The centre-half was beaten by Ollie Clarke on the left byline and there was contact from behind, despite a soft fall.

Mr Coggins was sure and Payne, last season’s top goalscorer in such a memorable campaign, confidently hammered the spot-kick in via Coleman’s grasp into the bottom left corner.

In a mark of respect he raised a hand in apology and did not celebrate in front of the fans he previously served.

The goal came against the run of play and all of a sudden Askey’s men looked in a perilous position.

Town went again in desperate search of creating a rare opportunity in front of goal.

Askey’s side’s job was made easier as left-back Martin, on his debut, was shown a second yellow on the hour mark. He could have no complaints after again fouling Whalley. He had been handed his final chance just a moment before after going unpunished.

With the man advantage, an edgy crowd and another home defeat staring at them, there was real emphasis on the hosts finding a way back into the game.

A rare chance came and went as Beckles sent a free header from a corner inches over the left angle but, after sending on fit-again Amadi-Holloway, hauled themselves level with a precious equaliser with just 18 minutes to play.

The source was Amadi-Holloway. He powered away from two tired yellow shirt and, after a pass to Angol was cut out, Whalley took on the mantle and skinned his man to the byline.

Whalley thundered in a cross that was deflected into the top corner by an unfortunate Gas defender, it looked to be the hapless right-back Leadbitter.

Rovers had no out ball in a frenetic final 15 minutes where 5,100 supports of a blue and amber persuasion urged Town on in search of a winner.

Amadi-Holloway was threatening but his towering knock-down was inches beyond Angol. The impressive Norburn hammered a 30 yard half-volley just wide after another imperious Laurent run, before another Norburn effort from distance was parried by Bonham.

A couple of late huffs and puffs did not drop Town’s way as the search for a winner went on.

Key moments

35 - Ollie Norburn, who has been the brightest player on the park, stings a shot at Jack Bonham from distance.

45 - Omar Beckles climbs to connect with Shaun Whalley’s right-sided free-kick but Bonham catches it.

50 - After a fine Josh Laurent break, Norburn zips a ball into Lee Angol, who swivels on the edge of the box and fires into the midriff of Bonham.

52 - Goal Rovers. Penalty. Luke Waterfall on Ollie Clarke. Stefan Payne converts coolly in off Joel Coleman.

60 - Joe Martin, Rovers; left-back, is sent off for a second yellow after catching Whalley.

72 - Goal. Superb Aaron Amadi-Holloway break. Whalley takes it on, reaches byline and his powerful cross turned home by defender Daniel Leadbitter.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3):

Coleman; Sears, Waterfall, Sadler ©, Beckles; Grant (Amadi-Holloway, 69), Norburn, Laurent; Whalley, Angol (John-Lewis, 90), Gilliead.

Subs not used: Arnold, Haynes, Docherty, Gnahoua, Barnett.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2):

Bonham; Leadbitter, Craig, Lockyer ©, Martin; Matthews (Broadbent, 61), Clarke, Upson, Rodman; Payne, Nichols (Bennett, 45).

Subs not used: Smith, Jakubiak, Reilly, Kelly, Russe.

Attendance: 5,759 (639 Rovers fans)

Referee: Antony Coggins

Position in the table: 23rd (three points from six games)

Man of the match: Ollie Norburn. Was everywhere and best player on park.