Salop fell to a 3-1 defeat away at Fleetwood Town this afternoon.

A first-half strike from Ryan Graydon was followed by goals from Lewis McCann and Matty Virtue in the second period.

Ismeal Kabia netted his first for the club as a consolation late on.

Anthony Scully, Sam Clucas and Chuks Aneke all came close for Town, but it wasn't enough to rescue a result.

Team news:

Michael Appleton named an unchanged XI from last week's 1-0 victory over Newport County.

As such, the defensive unit that kept that clean sheet last time out held their places, with goalkeeper Will Brook lining up behind Will Boyle, Sam Stubbs and Tom Anderson.

Clucas and Tom Sang continued at wing-back with Tommy McDermott and Josh Ruffels in midfield.

Up top, Scully and Kabia sat either side of John Marquis, the lone striker.

Fleetwood were also unchanged from their draw with Swindon last weekend.

Former Salop defender James Bolton was among the hosts' ranks, while Ched Evans and Graydon led the line.

Report:

The hosts had the first chance of the game after just a few minutes when McCann rose highest at the back post, but he couldn't keep this effort down.

Brook was then called into action moments later to claim Virtue's low drive.

Salop battled through the early pressure and had a chance of their own when Clucas arrowed an effort toward the bottom corner. However, Jay Lynch got down low to palm the shot out for a corner.

After gaining a footing in the game, Salop would find themselves a goal down when the deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute,

Lynch's goal kick was flicked on to Virtue, and he played a defence-splitting ball to Graydon, who lifted the ball over the onrushing Brook.

The next piece of action came on the stroke of half-time.

Marquis found Scully inside the box, and the in-form forward took aim from 12 yards, only for his effort to agonisingly strike the post.

Town came flying out of the blocks and went incredibly close to levelling the match after just eight second-half minutes.

Following a set piece, Sam Stubbs ended up in a crossing position. He delivered a brilliant ball into the box that was headed away but only as far as Clucas.

The left wing-back stepped forward and sent the ball curling inches wide of the top corner.

The visitors would be made to rue that miss and Fleetwood doubled their lead moments later.

McCann drilled a ball towards the front post, where Stubbs could only deflect it over Brook instead of clearing the danger.

Fleetwood continued to press for a third, but Brook did well to make himself big and block Will Davies' effort before the hour mark.

Boss Appleton looked to his bench shortly after this, replacing Marquis, Sang and McDermott with Aneke, Luca Hoole and Taylor Perry respectively.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the hosts made it three through Virtue 10 minutes later.

Kabia then pulled one back with his first goal for the club in the 83rd minute.

Aneke then flashed a shot inches wide of the mark and saw a header saved by Lynch as Town pushed for what could've been an incredible comeback.

Former Salopian Bolton saw red and received his marching orders for a headbutt on Aneke late on.

But that was where the action ended, and Michael Appleton's side will look to bounce back when they lose Gillingham next week.

Teams: 

Fleetwood: Lynch, Bolton, Graydon (Davies 41), Virtue, Helm, McCann (Mullarkey 81), Ennis (Medley 73), Evans (Coughlan 73), Holgate, Neal (Bonds 73), Hughes

Subs not used: Harrington, Morrison

Shrewsbury: Brook, Boyle, Stubbs, Anderson, Clucas, Sang (Hoole 66), Ruffels, McDermott (Perry 66), Kabia, Scully, Marquis (Aneke 66)

Subs not used: Harrison, Benning, England, Gray.

Attendance: 2,731 (446 away)