Source: FOOTYMAD
Shrewsbury Town 1 Southend United 1: Grant volleys the Shrimpers a point before Stevenage
Shrewsbury Town 1 Southend United 1: Blues midfielder Anthony Grant returned to goal scoring form with three minutes left just in time to shock the Shrews who must have felt they had the game won. Blues boss Paul Sturrock made three changes to his side after the FA Cup replay defeat to Macclesfield.Former Shrews skipper Graham Coughlan was fit enough to start, as was Bilel Moshni to join him in central defence which was a pleasant surprise, Luke Prosser dropping to the bench after picking up a foot injury last Tuesday. On the left Louie Soares was preferred to Sofiene Zaaboub while up front Blair Sturrock replaced Barry Corr, Luggy sticking with Oxford loanee Jack Midson. Ryan Hall sadly stayed in the stands due to the continuing problems with his knee. As for the great escape for the Shrimpers at their first visit to the Greenhous Meadow; well, with three minutes left on the clock some of the home crowd may have been leaving for the exit as Shrewsbury held on to their first half lead, but Grant's sixth strike of the season grabbed a very welcome late point.The Shews could have taken the lead as early as the 13th minute when nine-goal Jake Robinson found himself one on one with Glenn Morris and tried to take the ball around the Southend shot stopper, who proceded In reply, the recalled Southend winger Louie Soares then tamely headed a right wing cross from Sean Clohessy straight at Town keeper Chris Neal. However, Shrewsbury were soon back on top and, in the 21st minute of the match, a low drive from Robinson flew just past the right post following a deflection off of Bilel Mohnsi. Seven minutes later, Blues hit back and wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Grant burst in to the box to meet an inswinging right wing cross from Sean Clohessy. But, despite being left unmarked just six yards from the goal, the Southend midfielder could only stab a poor left footed volley wide of the right post. Soares then fired a deflected free-kick straight at Neal from 25 yards but Blues had a let off in the 34th minute when Morris mis-timed a charge of his goal-line to give Robinson another great chance to score. However, the former Brighton forward embarrassingly failed to make the contact with the ball just outside the Southend penalty area, much to the relief of the stranded Morris. But the keeper's let-off was only temporary as Shrewsbury opened the scoring in the 49th minute. The move was started by Robinson who sped over to the right flank before delivering a deep cross to former Blues striker Matt Harrold at the back post. He nodded the ball back in to the path of Wright and the winger made no mistake with an assured, drilled finish which flew in to the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yards. Southend boss Paul Sturrock responded by making his first change of the afternoon in the 56th minute as Antonio German came on for Blair Sturrock in attack. And Blues did begin to enjoy more of the ball. But they again failed to turn their pressure and possession in to clear cut chances in front of goal. Shrewsbury hit back with Wright unleashing a low shot from the edge of the penalty area which was smartly saved by Morris At the other end of the field, a similar effort from Grant was kept out by Neal who gathered the ball at the second attempt while under pressure from a sliding Morris who was booked for his challenge on the keeper. The volatile defender momentarily lost his cool and had to be calmed down by his team-mates, including captain Easton. After the furore died down, Blues introduced both Barry Corr and Harry Crawford in to the attaack. And, in the 87th minute, they drew back level as Easton picked out Grant at the back post with a fine deep cross which the midfielder superbly volleyed in to the top right hand corner of the net from eight yards with his left foot.
