Andy Smith’s late goal proved decisive as Gillingham beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1 at Croud Meadow on Saturday afternoon.
Harry Waldock scored his first senior professional goal after three minutes. Lamin Sillah slipped the ball in behind for Conor McManus, who did brilliantly to time his run to remain onside before cutting it back for the oncoming Waldock, who slotted home.
Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty just short of the hour, which George Lloyd converted, sending his shot into the bottom right corner.
Smith’s winner came with ten minutes remaining. Logan Dobbs was first to a headed clearance, finding Bradley Dack on the left corner of the penalty area. The midfielder curled his shot towards the far corner, but it took a deflection, causing it to loop goalward. The ball hit the face of the crossbar before it dropped perfectly for Smith to prod home from six yards out.
Gareth Ainsworth made four changes to the side that lost to Grimsby, as Academy graduates Logan Dobbs and Harry Waldock returned to the starting XI. Ethan Coleman made his second start of the season, and Lamin Sillah, who missed time due to a hand injury, was fit to start.
Waldock scored his first senior league goal in the third minute. The goal came after a nice passage of play. Ronan Hale played the ball into the feet of Sillah, who was on the edge of the box with his back to the goal. The Nottingham Forest loanee then slipped a smart pass in behind the Shrewsbury back line, allowing Conor McManus, who timed his run to remain onside perfectly, to get on the end of it. McManus squared it across the box for the oncoming Waldock, who slotted home from close range.
Tom Sang tested Ollie Wright soon after. The hosts had a free-kick to the left of the penalty area, and the Shrewsbury man directed his attempt towards the near post. However, Wright had it covered, getting across to push it around the post for a corner that came to nothing.
In the 31st minute, Josh Ruffels flashed a header well wide of the target. Sam Stubbs delivered a cross from the right-hand side, and Ruffels got away from his marker to head towards the goal. Fortunately, he could not angle it on target.
Hale forced Will Brook into action moments later. Sillah’s smart flick in behind allowed the Northern Ireland international to latch onto the ball. He let it bounce before striking on the half-volley. However, Brook got across to palm it wide of the goal. Waldock reached the rebound first, but his cutback was well-defended by a home defender.
Wright made a fantastic save in the 34th minute. Sang curled a free-kick from the left towards the front of the six-yard box. Stubbs got on the end of it and headed the ball down towards the bottom left corner. However, Wright reacted brilliantly, getting down to parry away before the danger was dealt with.
Waldock had a half-chance after 42 minutes. He did well to bring a high ball under control with his chest before striking on the volley. Unfortunately, it lacked the power to test Brook, who got down and gathered.
On the stroke of half-time, Hale had a brilliant opportunity to double the Gillingham advantage. Brophy did well to get to a loose ball ahead of a Shrewsbury man before holding off his advances and carrying it forward. Hale was making a run untracked, and Brophy spotted him. The forward did well to stroke his shot towards the far bottom right corner, but Brook got down and made an excellent fingertip save to send it wide of the target.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Gillingham
In the 58th minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty when the referee believed that Brophy had done enough to trip Sang inside the box.
From the resulting spot kick, George Lloyd levelled the score. The Shrewsbury forward slotted his attempt into the bottom right corner with Wright going the opposite way.
Brook soon made a fantastic save to keep out McManus’ shot. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international picked up a loose ball and was able to drive towards the penalty area. He took the ball into a central position before shooting with his right foot. His attempt went towards the bottom right corner, but Brook did well to get across and claw the ball away from the goal.
In the 65th minute, Tom Eaves entered the game, replacing Sillah.
Kian McMahon-Brown had a great opportunity for Shrewsbury. A cross from the left was curled deep into the penalty area, and McMahon-Brown was allowed to go untracked to meet the ball. Fortunately, his header lacked the power to test Wright, who gathered.
In the 73rd minute, Gills made a double substitution, with Armani Little and Bradley Dack replacing Hale and Coleman.
In the 80th minute, Andy Smith restored the Gillingham lead. Dobbs did well to get to a headed clearance first, with his first-time pass finding Dack on the left corner of the penalty area. The midfielder’s curling attempt took a deflection on its way to the goal, causing it to loop and strike the crossbar. The rebound dropped perfectly for Smith, who prodded home from six yards out.
Gills were forced into a final change following the goal, as Nick Freeman was unable to continue and was replaced by Garath McCleary.
There was a huge moment of panic during the third minute of stoppage time. Dobbs managed to get across to a loose ball inside the box and attempted to clear the ball. However, it took a deflection off a Shrewsbury man, which caused it to flash across the goal before going just wide of the far post.
The hosts continued to apply pressure, as Stubbs tried his luck with a first-time strike from distance. Fortunately, it fizzed wide of the post.
During the closing seconds, Little did an incredible job, rising highest to win two headers to ensure the ball remained in the Shrewsbury half before the full-time whistle sounded.
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Gillingham
Shrewsbury Town: Brook, Hoole (Jude-Boyd 83’), Ruffels (Thompson-McKenzie 90+1’), Boyle, Stubbs, Lloyd (Golding 63’), Sang, Berkoe (Sousa 90+1’), Davison (Gbode 83’), McMahon-Brown, Gray
Unused Substitutes: Gregory, Lee
Gillingham: Wright, Smith, Beckles, Dobbs, Freeman (McCleary 81’), Coleman (Dack 73’), Waldock, McManus, Hale (Little 73’), Brophy, Sillah (Eaves 65’)
Unused Substitutes: Luthra, Kendall, Daley
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 5255 (345 Gillingham supporters)
