City Get Back on Track

Lawrie Dudfield - finished well for the second

The referee's decisions maybe decided the game today. Sam Aiston was nudged over by stand-in captain Nicky Mohan in the opening five minutes but penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

Then in the 17th minute Mr Jones was pointing to the spot at the other end, as Aiston was involved again. He caught Richard Sneekes who fell to his knees inside the box, and Ryan Williams scored his first goal in the black and amber, putting the ball to the keeper's left from 18 yards.

Shrewsbury were causing City's defence problems but were unable to find a way past Paul Musselwhite.

Lawrie Dudfield and Ryan Williams both came close with first half efforts before the score was doubled to 2-0.

Good work around the box saw loan signing Neil Roberts set up Lawrie Dudfield who put a sweet volley past Town keeper Dunbavin after half an hour.

The next goal minutes later wasn't as pretty, but they all count. A cross wasn't dealt with by the goalkeeper and Mike Edwards forced the ball in after a scramble in the area.

Lawrie Dudfield was unlucky not to get a fourth for City. He went on a great run through the middle from the half way line before his shot from 20 yards was just blocked.

Paul Musselwhite - man of the match

In the first five minutes of the second half Shrewsbury had two glaring misses in front of open goals.

Mohan and Wicks were having real problems at the back and had it not been for some superb blocks by Paul Musselwhite then City's lead could have gone.

Jemson was played through on goal by a terrible Mohan back-pass but Musselwhite came out to stop him, and 20 minutes in Wicks completely missed the ball but Lowe put the ball wide.

Theo Whitmore, Rodney Rowe and Ben Morley were brought off the bench and did well to help protect our clean sheet.

The final whistle was a relief as the 3-0 scoreline flattered City based on the second half performance, and the defence was very worrying.

However, the three points were grinded out and move us up a place to 5th with 47 points from 29 games. Rochdale won so go 4th with 48 points, and have a game in hand over City. Mansfield didn't play so stay 3rd on 50 points after 27 games. Luton are four points ahead of them having played 2 games more, losing 3-2 at Darlington with Sheeran scoring twice late on for the Quakers. Plymouth extend their lead at the top to 61 points after winning 4-2 today.

Starting line-up (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Edwards (Morley), Mohan, Wicks, Holt; Williams, Sneekes, Greaves, Beresford; Roberts (Whitmore), Dudfield (Rowe).
Un-used subs: Glennon, Van Blerk.