High-flying Leyton Orient found themselves scoring with their first two attempts on goal to lead 2-0 after 25 minutes – but from staring a second successive home defeat in the face, Shrewsbury hit back with three goals in seven minutes to lead 3-2 as the interval.
The East Londoners then levelled matters 90 seconds after the break and that was ultimately an end to the scoring, despite the best efforts of both sides to secure all three points.
Smarting from their disappointing 1-0 home defeat against lowly Bury last Saturday, Shrewsbury began brightly and in the opening moments central defender Sagi Burton and highly impressive teenage midfielder David Edwards both narrowly failed to make the breakthrough – although before the half had ended each would find their way onto the scoresheet.
But from their first attack of any consequence fifth in the table Orient went ahead – Mathew Lockwood swerving a low free-kick beyond the Shrewsbury defensive wall and past young 'keeper Joe Hart to put the visitors ahead. Worse followed for the home side as seven minutes later Paul Connor netted with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Shrewsbury, however, rallied impressively and Mark Stallard reduced the deficit on 38 minutes when he prodded home from close range as the Orient defence struggled to clear a Neil Ashton free-kick. Two minutes later the Shrews, were level as Edwards raced clear of the visitors rearguard to slip the ball past the advancing Glyn Garner – who was beaten again on the stroke of half-time when Burton nodded home another Ashton free-kick as the half was turned on its head.
But Shrewsbury's lead lasted barely two minutes after the restart and they were pegged back when Adam Tann smartly headed home a centre from Joe Keith.
Five minutes later Orient saw their best chance of winning the game go begging when Connor steered the ball narrowly wide after being put clean through – while at the end Burton went closest to giving Shrewsbury victory, but his header from a Neil Sorvel corner flashed wide.