Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland fell to their first away defeat of the season in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening, as Shrewsbury Town secured a 2-1 win over Lee Johnson’s side.
After Jordan Willis was stretchered off, Aiden O’Brien’s well-taken finish opened the scoring on a baltic night in Shropshire
Charlie Wyke almost made it two before the break, but the Shrews remained in the game and Ethan Ebanks-Landell fired back following the interval.
Both sides mustered decent attempts in their search for a second, but it was Harry Chapman who turned the game on its head with 67 minutes on the clock.
Bailey Wright headed Sunderland’s best chance for an equaliser wide, as the home side claimed three points.
The Lads made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with MK Dons, as Remi Matthews, Josh Scowen and Jordan Jones were named in the starting XI.
Willis was also among the starters at Montgomery Waters Meadow, but after just 60 seconds, the centre back was stretchered off after an awkward fall.
After a lengthy stoppage in play, and the introduction of Dion Sanderson, the Lads regrouped and forced the opener with 21 minutes on the clock.
Wyke produced a tidy ball to send O’Brien through one-on-one and the forward did the rest, clipping an ice-cool finish beyond Matija Sarkic.
Last-ditch defending followed as Wyke’s header was cleared en route to goal, with Sanderson’s follow-up bravely blocked to ensure the Shrews remained within touching distance at the interval.
Six minutes after the restart, they were level.
Matthews came for a cross and Curtis Main beat him to the punch, allowing Ebanks-Landell to bundle the ball home.
Chapman almost turned the game on its head moments later, but his first-time finish was blocked low at the near post by the Sunderland ‘keeper.
The Black Cats volleyed back as both teams sensed a second, but after Aiden McGeady’s long-range effort was tipped over the crossbar, a point-blank save denied Wright and the home side cleared.
Once again, the Shrews’ spirit was rewarded, Chapman slamming home at the back post after Johnson’s men failed to heed the forward’s warning shot.
The home side had the ball in the net for a third time shortly after, but play was called back for an offside.
With 79 minutes on the clock, an excellent cross from Josh Scowen was met by Wright with the goal at his mercy, but the defender’s header whistled agonisingly wide.
The Black Cats continued to battle, but were unable to find an equaliser and subsequently fell to their first away defeat of the season in Sky Bet League One.
Shrewsbury Town: Sarkic, Love, Williams, Ebanks-Landell, Ogbeta, Goss, Vela, Norburn, Chapman (Daniels 76), Main (Udoh 88), Whalley
Subs not used: Burgoyne, Golbourne, Edwards, Pyke, Davis.
Sunderland AFC: Matthews, Power (O’Nien 75), Willis (Sanderson 7), Wright, Vokins (Diamond 75), Leadbitter, Scowen, Jones (Gooch 59), McGeady, O'Brien, Wyke.
Subs not used: Burge, McLaughlin, Maguire