SHREWS ENJOY WELCOME WIN
SHREWSBURY consolidated second place in League One courtesy of a goal from Jon Nolan, with manager Paul Hurst hoping it will encourage his matchwinner to keep his shooting boots firmly on.
Nolan’s strike early in the second period proved to be the difference as the Shrews won for the first time in the league since mid-November.
Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer was left fuming his side were denied a penalty but his Shrewsbury counterpart Hurst was understandably upbeat.
“We had to work very hard for the win and I’m delighted with the three points,” he said.
“It was a battle of wills at times. We need to be a little better on the ball and more clinical in front of goal.
“It was a well-taken goal from Jon Nolan who I thought was superb. The win keeps us up there.
“I’m always on at him to shoot more. The amount of times he gets the ball and he’s looking to move it on rather than perhaps being a bit more selfish with it.”
In a first half of few clear-cut chances, Blackpool came closest, Dean Henderson tipping over after Jay Spearing’s freekick flicked off Aristote Nsiala.
Before the break, Nolan tried his luck with a snap-shot from 20 yards but on-loan Bournemouth keeper Ryan Allsop was vigilance personified.
Blackpool began the secondhalf in a more determined fashion but neither Nathan Delfouneso or Viv SolomonOtabor’s efforts troubled Henderson.
In the 52nd minute, Kelvin Mellor cut in from the right and was sent sprawling by Nsiala only for referee Andy Woolmer to wave play on. Blackpool can consider themselves unlucky.
Nolan has proved himself to be something of a Swiss Army knife of a player for the Shrews, popping up time and again in a variety of roles to help scupper the opposition.
Picking up a loose ball on the right, Nolan ran 15 yards unchallenged before directing the ball past Allsop from the edge of the box on 54 minutes.
The home side could have added to their lead if not for penalty-box profligacy. Alex Rodman shot wide and James Bolton should have done much better than muddy an advertising hoarding with a free header.
The golden opportunity fell to Carlton Morris. Picked out by Shaun Whalley, Morris bore down on the Seasiders’ goal but dallied and the chance was gone for the Norwich loan player.
“I’m disappointed and feel badly done to,” said Bowyer. “We should have had three points and a penalty. Even the Shrewsbury lads thought it was a penalty. That decision cost us.
“That said, we didn’t work their keeper hard enough. We created enough openings but with our two main strikers out, struggled to
make an impact.”