Shrewsbury Town produced a commanding performance at The Croud Meadow to secure a deserved 3–1 victory over Swindon, making it back-to-back wins for manager Gavin Cowan.

Goals from George Lloyd, Iwan Morgan, and Nick Freeman sealed the three points for Salop, while the visitors’ consolation came through Billy Kirkman following a scrappy exchange in the penalty area.

Team news:

Boss Cowan stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system for the visit of the Robins.

Matt Cox started in net with Luca Hoole, Josh Ruffels and Will Boyle making the back three.

Ismael Kabia got the green light to start at right-wing back, partnered with Kevin Berkoe on the opposite side.

Tom Sang and Taylor Perry sat in midfield with Anthony Scully further forward playing the 10 role.

George Lloyd started up front alongside Iwan Morgan.

Swindon boss Ian Holloway lines his side up in a 3-4-2-1 with Ollie Palmer leading the attack.

Report:

Shrewsbury Town started on the front foot, playing with pace and intensity, and were rewarded in the sixth minute when Iwan Morgan opened the scoring. 

A well-worked free-kick routine saw the ball fall kindly into his path, allowing him to fire past the Swindon Town goalkeeper.

After the frantic opening exchanges, the contest began to settle and developed into a closely fought midfield battle.

The first major test for Matthew Cox arrived in the 22nd minute, as he produced a smart save to deny a curling free-kick from just outside the penalty area from Darren Oldaker.

Salop continued to press, and in the 32nd minute, another set-piece led to a creative effort from Luca Hoole, whose backheel attempt was gathered by the visiting keeper.

Cox was called into action again shortly after, producing an outstanding double save to keep out close-range headers from Ollie Clarke and Ollie Palmer.

Shrewsbury went close to extending their lead in the 45th minute when George Lloyd squared the ball to Morgan, but his effort clipped the crossbar before flying over.

Two minutes later, the visitors found an equaliser as Joel McGregor reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area, placing the ball into the bottom-left corner following a scrappy scramble in the box.

The second half resumed similarly, with both sides locked in a tight midfield battle.

Ismael Kabia came close with a spectacular chipped effort from distance, forcing Connor Ripleyinto a sharp save as he parried the ball behind for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, Swindon threatened on the counter, but Luca Hoole brought the danger to an end with a sublime, well-timed tackle.

Town regained their lead in the 57th minute through a moment of quality. Anthony Scully threaded an inch-perfect pass through to Kevin Berkoe, who selflessly squared for George Lloyd to smash the ball past the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Shrewsbury continued to press, and in the 81st minute, Tommy McDermott found space behind the defence, but his effort was blocked and diverted behind for a corner.

The corner caused chaos inside the six-yard box, and after Swindon struggled to clear their lines, the ball broke kindly for Nick Freeman, who drilled a composed finish into the bottom-right corner just minutes after coming off the bench.

There was also a special moment in the closing stages as Mal Benning was introduced in the 83rd minute to make his 500th professional appearance, becoming one of the first Sikh South Asians to reach the landmark.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: Cox (GK), Hoole, Boyle, Ruffels, Kabia, Berkoe (Berkoe 79), Sang (Freeman 79), Perry, Scully (McDermott 79), Lloyd, Morgan, (Ogunsuyi 63).

Subs not used: Brook, Anderson, Stubbs

Swindon: Ripley (GK), Ball, Nichols, Clarke, Kilkenny, Drinan, Batty, Palmer, McGregor, Kirkman, Oldaker, Holman, Olakigbe

Subs not used: Ward (GK), Mabete, Snowdon, Scanlon, Borland

 Attendance: 6080 home, 1323 away

 Total: 7403