Struggling Stoke fail to tame The Shrews

GARY ROWETT’S triple substitution paid off as Peter Crouch’s equaliser kept Stoke City in the FA Cup with a draw at Shrewsbury Town.

Crouch was introduced from the bench along with Tyrese Campbell and Mame Diouf as Stoke left it late to cancel out Ollie Norburn’s penalty which had given League One Shrewsbury the lead.

Stoke manager Rowett said: “I felt it was always going to be a difficult game because of the last three games for us and, of course, the negativity surrounding that recent run of form.

“It’s an away game in the FA Cup, which are never easy against a side only a division below us, and the pitch was a difficult pitch.

“Straightaway, you could see it, it’s not a criticism, but you knew that it was going to be a difficult pitch to move the ball quickly and kind of show the extra quality.”

Rowett added: “Second half was a lot better without the final bit of quality again and then I felt the three substitutes made a big difference.”

Shrewsbury must now prepare for a replay at bet365 Stadium after going close to claiming a higher division scalp.

Shrews boss Sam Ricketts said: “It’s something to look forward to, something to relish and we’ll be ready when we get there.

“I’m really pleased with the standard of the performance. We’re setting standards which I want to maintain.

“We can’t hit them every game but I want to hit them more games than not and we did it again.

“The last little piece missing off that was to get through to the next round and we were so close.

“I think we had the better chances. We had a really good chance to go 2-0 up in the game. Our goalkeeper’s had one save to make all game.”

Shrewsbury edged ahead in first-half stoppage time as midfielder Norburn confidently converted a penalty after Aaron Amadi-Holloway was brought down by Tom Edwards in the box.

Amadi-Holloway then headed a chance over the bar early in the second half as Shrewsbury chased victory against their opponents.

Crouch forced a replay 12 minutes from time when Diouf helped on a left-wing cross from Campbell and the former England striker fired home at the far post.