Wrexham miss chance to go top in League One as Shrewsbury move up to 21st
John Marquis fires hosts ahead in 17th minute
Steven Fletcher nets equaliser six minutes later, his fifth goal in seven matches
Marquis nets second in 48th minute from rebound after having penalty saved by Arthur Okonkwo
Shrewsbury earn third league win under Gareth Ainsworth as Wrexham suffer second defeat in three matches
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
The crowd are making it a good atmosphere here, it's absolutely electric.
The 1,600 to the right hand side in Wrexham shirts are the ones making the noise at the moment.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Ryan Barnett sees a cross cut out by Jamal Blackman.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
Steven Fletcher is so good.
We were thinking if he had the quality to start but he has the quality to go on and play 60 minutes or more of quality football at the ripe age of 37.
Image source, Rex FeaturesShrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
I'm already at a time in my life where I need glasses for the screen I'm writing on but not the one I'm watching.
That's a challenge enough.
I could do with Wrexham's centre backs being called O'Connor and O’Connell.
As for Shrewsbury, Feeney and Feeney! Come on now. Give me a chance.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Tom O'Connor curls the freekick well over.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Matty James wriggles into space and wins a freekick for Wrexham in possible shooting range.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Superb cross for the goal by Ryan Barnett.
No wonder he's the top assist maker in the division.
Shrewsbury wanted a foul given in the build-up after an Ollie Rathbone challenge, but you don't see many fouls given for challenges like that in a game like this.
Shrewsbury 1-1 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
A great response.
The ball that Fletcher wants gets delivered by Barnett. It was a simple header for someone like Steven Fletcher and the goalkeeper had no chance.
Back in the game for Wrexham.
Steven Fletcher
It's 1-1!
Ryan Barnett with the cross, Steven Fletcher with the header, simple as you like.
It's a terrific header, Fletcher gets above his marker and leaves Jamal Blackman with no chance.
Five goals in his last seven games, not bad considering this is only his second league start of the season.
Image source, Rex FeaturesShrewsbury 1-0 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
You could say Wrexham had a better start, but they've lacked the quality that Shrewsbury show in their finishes.
They have shown they have the quality to come back, but they can't fall 2-0 behind. That would be a mountain.
I can't see Wrexham not scoring tonight against one of the worst defending teams in the league.
Shrewsbury 1-0 Wrexham
Another Wrexham corner is well held by Jamal Blackman, now playing for his 14th club.
I wonder if his new nickname is golf bag?
Shrewsbury 1-0 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
It's a brilliant finish you have to give him credit for that.
I thought Shrewsbury picked the wrong option but they found the space and the most powerful shot into that near post area for the first goal.
Wrexham have it all to do.
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn Marquis
What a moment for Shrewsbury!
And what a finish!
George Lloyd makes himself a pest as Shrewsbury's centre forwards nick possession from the visiting defenders and John Marquis collects the ball, slides past his marker and thunders home beyond the reach of Arthur Okonkwo.
Lloyd gave him the chance and he took it with aplomb.
Image source, Rex FeaturesShrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Shrewsbury win their first corner, but Wrexham clear.
Not 15 minutes of football that will be written about in future sonnets.
It's been quite cagey so far.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
Shrewsbury will grow into the game and catch-up to Wrexham's standard should it remain 0-0.
Wrexham will need to not allow that to happen to themselves.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Wrexham have been pretty lethal from set-pieces under Phil Parkinson, particularly from corners.
They have netted nine times from corners in League One this season. Only Huddersfield Town (11) have a better record.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
The hosts clear again.
Wrexham wasteful thus far with some good set-piece opportunities.
You don't know it yet, but that's a build-up for the next post.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Rash from Aaron Pierre, who gives Wrexham another chance to swing in a freekick after a late tackle.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Waynne Phillips
Former Wrexham player
The start has been difficult for Shrewsbury and Wrexham need to capitalise on this part of their game.
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
Wrexham pinning Shrewsbury back at the moment.
John Marquis scored his fifth and sixth League One goals of the season against Wrexham
John Marquis struck a goal in each half as struggling Shrewsbury Town won the League One cross-border derby with high-flying Wrexham.
Shrewsbury took the lead after 16 minutes when George Lloyd pinched the ball in the Wrexham half before finding Marquis, who rifled his shot past Arthur Okonkwo.
Wrexham were behind for just seven minutes before in-form Steven Fletcher levelled, heading home Shrewsbury old boy Ryan Barnett's pinpoint cross for his fifth goal in seven matches.
Lloyd almost restored the hosts' lead with a header on 45 minutes before, down the other end, Ollie Rathbone also went close.
Shrewsbury started the second half on top, as they had done the first, and it was Lloyd who again played a pivotal role when, following a sloppy interchange, he drew a foul from defender Eoghan O'Connell to win a penalty.
Marquis was denied with his initial attempt, but made no mistake with the rebound when it fell kindly to him.
The Welsh side were almost level for a second time with 10 minutes to play, when another excellent cross from Barnett was met by substitute Paul Mullin, but two fine blocks and a Jamal Blackman save later, the danger was averted.
Shrewsbury move up to 21st with victory, within five points of safety, having taken another big home scalp in Wrexham, just as they did when they raised their game to beat Birmingham City in boss Gareth Ainsworth's first game in charge, but they also prevented their border rivals from going top of League One.
Instead Wrexham remain third, two points behind leaders Birmingham, having now played three more games than Blues.
Shrewsbury Town head coach Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Radio Shropshire:
"It was absolutely phenomenal. The work-rate, the changes, the way the week has been. For those boys to put that performance in tells me we have every chance of staying in this league.
"That was a phenomenal shift from everyone, epitomised by the front two. They never stopped running.
"John deserves his two goals and Lloyd his man of the match award.
"We had a plan in place. It worked well, and I'm really pleased."
Shrewsbury beat Wrexham
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Wales:
"We've handed them two goals with two mistakes. When you give a team in a frenetic derby atmosphere two huge lifts it gives them something to hold onto.
"We've scored and got back in the game and then the sloppy moment costs us the penalty.
"This season we've been solid and secure in our defensive display.
"We spoke before the game about making sure the basics were in place, and it has cost us by making those mistakes."
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 41 | 17 | 24 | 53 |
| |
| 2 | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 50 | 27 | 23 | 51 |
| |
| 3 | 26 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 20 | 18 | 51 |
| |
| 4 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 19 | 18 | 47 |
| |
| 5 | 25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 39 | 33 | 6 | 42 |
| |
| 6 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 39 | 33 | 6 | 41 |
| |
| 7 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 38 |
| |
| 8 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 37 |
| |
| 9 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 31 | 26 | 5 | 37 |
| |
| 10 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 36 | 37 | -1 | 37 |
| |
| 11 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 34 |
| |
| 12 | 25 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 28 | 30 | -2 | 32 |
| |
| 13 | 24 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 31 |
| |
| 14 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 31 |
| |
| 15 | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 28 | 31 | -3 | 31 |
| |
| 16 | 24 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 32 | 35 | -3 | 30 |
| |
| 17 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 27 |
| |
| 18 | 25 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 24 | 39 | -15 | 26 |
| |
| 19 | 24 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 46 | -5 | 25 |
| |
| 20 | 24 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 22 | 38 | -16 | 25 |
| |
| 21 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 26 | 45 | -19 | 20 |
| |
| 22 | 23 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 43 | -19 | 20 |
| |
| 23 | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 22 | 43 | -21 | 17 |
| |
| 24 | 24 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 20 | 38 | -18 | 14 |
|
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
League One
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Shrewsbury Town have won five of their last seven Football League games against Wrexham (L2), with their last victory in this fixture in April 2008 coming via a 3-0 scoreline.
Wrexham have lost just two of their last ten away Football League games against Shrewsbury Town (W5 D3), although those two defeats came in their last three visits (W1).
Shrewsbury have won just one of their last eight league games (D3 L4), though that sole victory did come on home soil in a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient in December.
Wrexham have won just two of their last nine away league games (D3 L4) and could lose successive such games for the first time since February 2024 (3).
