Checkatrade Trophy: Shrewsbury 0 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

A 90th minute goal from Amadou Bakayoko ensured the Saddlers leapfrogged their West Midlands rivals to finish top of Northern Group E.

Jon Whitney’s side entered the game knowing a victory was the only way to guarantee qualification into the last 32 with Coventry still able to overhaul them.

But a game a few clear cut chances was settled by Bakayoko who netted after Shrewsbury had seen Ben Godfrey dismissed in the 75th minute for a straight red-card following a reckless challenge on Luke Leahy.

Despite having previously used the competition to experiment, Whitney named a strong starting line-up with only goalkeeper Liam Roberts and midfielder Maz Kouyhar not first-team regulars.

Lining up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, James Wilson was restored at centre-back after missing the defeat at Newport County through suspension while Ama Bakayoko operated as the lone striker.

Shrewsbury, who entered the game having already qualified for the second round, lined up in a 3-5-2 system with Stefan Payne partnering Lenell John-Lewis up front.

It was the Saddlers who made a flying start to the match with Whitney’s men twice coming close to opening the scoring inside the first five minutes.

First, a left-wing cross worked its way through to Zeli Ismail who cut inside a defender before arrowing a low drive at goal which Craig McGillivray brilliantly tipped onto the post.

Then just moments later, Bakayoko produced a smart turn to escape the attentions of Bryn Morris in the box before sending a fierce drive inches past the upright.

Walsall had started like a steam train. But steadily, Shrewsbury began to find their rhythm with Bryn Morris whipping in a dangerous corner that flew across the six-yard box but had nobody on hand to tap it home.

The game was now proving an even encounter with Town threatening once again when Arthur Gnahoua sent a left-footed drive inches past the post from 20-yards.

Walsall hit back with Kouhyar seeing a scuffed strike blocked by a defender after Jon Guthrie had nodded Kieron Morris’ deep free-kick back into the danger area.

From that point the game became more cagey with the two teams largely cancelling each out.

But it was Hurst’s men who finished the half the stronger of the two teams and they came a whisker away from breaking the deadlock just before the interval.

A swift counter saw Payne latch onto a Gnahoua through-ball with the former Barnsley man entering the box but seeing his shot well beaten away by Roberts.

Town though managed to keep the move alive with Alex Rodman seeing a strike blocked before Joe Riley whistled a strike past the post from 20-yards.

Hurst changed his formation to a more recognisable 4-4-2 formation at half time with Godfrey shifting to right back and Riley moving over to the left side.

It took 17 minutes of the second half to see a shot on goals as Maz Kouhyar’s drive was smartly pushed away by MacGillivary.

There were some groans from the home fans as Shrewsbury seemed reluctant to play the ball forward with Hurst then making a double change as Shaun Whalley and Carlton Morris repalced John Lewis and Rodman.

It looked to have an effect as Whalley crossed for Payne who hooked a shot just wide but never troubled Liam Roberts in the Walsall net.

There was little else to shout about until the 76th minute when Godfrey was given a straight red card for a nasty lunge on Luke Leahy.

Referee Trevor Kettle didn’t hesitate in giving the defender his marching orders and there were no real complaints from the Shrewsbury players.

It was Town’s second red card in the competition this season following James Bolton’s at Coventry City.

Town brought on 17 year-old Christos Shelis secure things up at the back following the dismissal, meanwhile, the Saddlers brought on top scorer Erhun Oztumer as they looked to make the most of their man advantage.

As the clocked ticked towards the 90th minute, Whalley forced a save from Roberts with a love drive from 20-yards.

But it was Walsall who would grab a deserved winner when a left-wing cross deflected off Shiels and into the path of Bakayoko who nodded home from close range.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: MacGillivray, Riley, Godfrey, Sadler, Beckles, Ogogo, Gnahoua, John-Lewis (C.Morris 68), B Morris (Shelis 82), Rodman (Whalley 68), Payne.

Subs not used: Gregory, Dodds, Adams, Gallagher.

Walsall: Roberts, Kinsella, Guthrie, Wilson, Leahy (Devlin 82), Chambers, Edwards (Oztumer 84), Morris, Kouhyar (Flanagan 72), Ismail, Bakayoko.

Subs not used: Gillespie, Jackson, Donnellan, Agyei.