SHREWSBURY
AET; SCORE AFTER 90 MINS 0-0 WEST HAM finally overcame a stubborn Shrewsbury in extratime last night thanks to rookie Reece Burke.
David Moyes’ side failed to break down the stubborn Shrews until the 112th minute of this replay, when Burke struck with a right-footer for his first goal for the club.
Just like the first game, chances had been few and far between. Stefan Payne wasted the clearest of the night in normal time when he was foiled by Joe Hart.
That was not in the script as West Ham looked to avoid an embarrassing evening in a tie that put the stale in stalemate.
In the end they had young Burke, 21, to thank with the clock ticking down towards penalties.
Toni Martinez could have won it in the 83rd minute following Marko Arnautovic’s clever pass, but the rookie striker blazed over.
West Ham started favourites having taken Shrewsbury back to London following a goalless draw earlier this month.
But recent history had not been on their side, given they had lost each of their past four FA Cup replays against teams from the Championship or lower.
Shrewsbury, riding high in League One, might feel they missed their chance on home soil. The fact these two were playing again was largely down to Hammers keeper Hart.
Hart had frustrated his home-town club with a string of fine saves and started again here in a much-changed Hammers side.
Even without the injured Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll, Moyes had the insurance of the in-form Arnautovic on his substitutes’ bench and he came on with 20 minutes to go in normal time.
The absence of Diafra Sakho, even with the lack of forwards at Moyes’ disposal, was fresh evidence that he was on his way out.
Manuel Lanzini did start. Fresh from his two goals in the 4-1 win against Huddersfield on Saturday, the Argentinian had the first sight of goal as he drove over from 25 yards.
Shrewsbury were cheered on by 3,000 fans but they did not have much to shout about early on.
They were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Martinez looked to have been tripped by Aristote Nsial.
Another move instigated by Lanzini saw Josh Cullen combine with Sam Byram, before the full-back could only shoot tamely wide of Dean Henderson’s goal. Everything was going through Lanzini as Shrewsbury struggled to keep him at bay.
After he was tripped by Abu Ogogo, Lanzini finally brought a save out of Henderson as he palmed away his swerving free-kick.
Shrewsbury began to hold their own as they made light of the two-division gap and went into the break still levelpegging.
West Ham started the second half as they ended the first – in lethargic fashion. It was all too easy for the Shrews as West Ham dominated without ever really looking threatening. Lanzini continued to look the most likely to score and he had another strong penalty appeal waved away after going down under Joe Riley’s challenge.
Shrewsbury had barely tested Hart but the redundant keeper was finally forced into action in the 63rd minute.
It was the game’s best chance so far as Payne bore down on goal but the striker’s low shot was kept out by Hart’s feet.
Shaun Whalley then fired over as Shrewsbury’s confidence grew. It was no surprise to see Arnautovic and Mark Noble introduced in a bid inject some life into the home side, who had struggled to carve out chances.
Noble went close at the end with a header that was cleared off the line. But West finally went through and will face Bournemouth or Wigan in round four.
WEST HAM (4-3-3): Goal: SHREWSBURY (5-4-1):