Shrewsbury Town 0 Wycombe Wanderers 1

Last updated : 20 December 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Shrewsbury Town ended a disappointing week with a 1-0 home defeat against League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

After losing by the only goal at struggling Grimsby Town last Saturday, Paul Simpson's men were beaten on penalties by Brighton on Tuesday evening in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and an unhappy seven days ended with a dent to their promotion hopes as a 55th minute goal from Matt Harrold secured a three vital points for Peter Taylor's men.

It was tough luck on Shrewsbury - who lost successive league matches for the first time this term - as they dominated the final 20 minutes of this intense and often entertaining encounter, only to find the Wycombe rearguard in defiant and determined mood.

But high-flying Wycombe showed their table-topping pedigree by withstanding the onslaught to ensure their sixth away win of the campaign.

It was the visitors who went closest to an early breakthrough when a powerful sixth minute drive from Leon Johnson smashed against a Shrewsbury upright.

Two efforts from Town midfielder Paul Murray tested Wycombe's ex-Shrewsbury keeper Scott Shearer and as the first half drew to a close, 18-goal top-scorer Grant Holt was only inches away with a glancing header.

But it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock when Harrold rose to meet a Tommy Doherty corner ten minutes into the second half and powered home a header from six yards.

Harrold had an opportunity to put the issue beyond all doubt but fired wide when clean through, although throughout the closing stages Shrewsbury laid siege to the Wycombe goal.

There were a couple of fine saves from Shearer as Town pressed hard for a leveller but near things from Holt, skipper Ben Davies and substitute Steven Leslie could not prevent Shrewsbury's second home defeat of the season.