Shrewsbury Town kicked off their EFL Trophy campaign with a 3-1 win over Chelsea Under-21s.

A goal from Shumaira Mheuka had put the Premier League youngsters ahead at the Croud Meadow.

But a sensational strike from Tommy McDermott pulled Town level. Goals from John Marquis and Will Boyle then wrapped up the points in Southern Group C of the competition.

In truth, Michael Appleton's side could have won by a much bigger margin.

McDermott, Marquis, Tom Sang and Callum Stewart all had chances to make the scoreline more emphatic.

Overall, though, Town will be pleased with their night's work - registering what was a fully deserved win.

Team news:

Boss Appleton opted for a 3-4-1-2 formation for the clash against Chelsea's under-21s.

It saw Elyh Harrison start in goal with Sam Stubbs, Tom Anderson and Will Boyle making up the back three.

Sam Clucas and Sang were deployed at wing-back with Isaac England and McDermott the midfield two.

Taylor Perry operated in the number 10 role with Marquis and Stewart up front.

Report:

It was Chelsea who opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Full-back Kian Best escaped down the left and then delivered a wonderfully inviting low cross. And that was tapped in from close range by Mheuka.

Within just four minutes, though, Salop were level - with McDermott producing a brilliant strike from 20 yards that sailed past Gabriel Slonina and into the top corner.

What had been a cagey half suddenly sprang into life with 10 minutes remaining - with chances coming at both ends.

For Town, Sang fired wide from just inside the box before Stewart saw a low strike well claimed by Slonina.

Then at the other end, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen delivered a wonderfully inviting ball that Richard Olise looked destined to tap in.

The Chelsea man met the delivery perfectly. But somehow, Harrison managed to keep the ball out with an outstanding block from point-blank range.

Town responded with Marquis having two chances in quick succession.

First, the forward entered the box before firing narrowly over.

The 33-year-old then went even closer after meeting a cross from Stewart. Once again, though, the ball sailed agonisingly over the bar.

Chelsea threatened early after the restart with Kavuma-McQueen cutting in from the flank before rattling the crossbar.

Town made a change shortly after with Luca Hoole replacing Stewart.

That meant a slight shift in shape with Sang and Perry both operating as 10s in behind Marquis.

Town then got themselves in front just past the hour mark.

England did well to intercept a pass out from the back before finding Marquis just inside the area.

And the striker did the rest - curling home an emphatic finish for his second of the season.

Salop then made it 3-1 when Boyle smartly nodded home a corner from Clucas.

Marquis came close to his second and Town's fourth in the 81st when he latched onto a clever free-kick from Clucas before firing over.

On what was a positive night for Salop, 16-year-old midfielder Will Gray, who is a Town fan, then came on in the closing stages for his debut.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: Harrison, Stubbs, Anderson, Boyle, Sang (Biggins 82), McDermott, England, Clucas (Benning 82), Perry (Gray 86), Marquis, Stewart (Hoole 51).

Subs not used: Savin, Nsiala.

Chelsea: Slonina, Tauriainen (McMahon 46), Olise, Murray-Campbell, Best Walsh 46), Cardoso, Emenalo (Derry 62), Harrison, Mheuka (Ezenwata 73), Wilson, Kavuma-McQueen (Antwi 62).

Subs not used: Bernal.

Attendance: 1,714 (134 away).