Shrewsbury suffered last-gasp heartbreak to fall to a 2-1 defeat at Swindon.

In what was a thrilling game that could have seen both teams score a hatful, the hosts opened the scoring early in the first half through Aaron Drinan.

Town thought they had got the point their performance more than deserved when Callum Stewart netted in the 89th minute.

But a stoppage-time goal from Billy Bodin won it for Ian Holloway's side.

Team news:

Boss Appleton opted to return to a 3-5-2 system for the trip to the County Ground.

It saw Elyh Harrison continue in goal with Sam Stubbs, Toto Nsiala and Tom Anderson making up the back three.

Luca Hoole and Mal Benning returned to the side at wing-back with Sam Clucas joined by Tom Sang and Taylor Perry in midfield.

John Marquis was partnered by George Lloyd up front.

Swindon also lined up in a 3-5-2 system with Paul Glatzel partnering Drinan in attack.

Report:

It was Town who flew out of the blocks in Wiltshire, with Perry agonisingly close to latching onto a Hoole knockdown.

Then, following a clever corner routine, Clucas saw a shot from inside the area well blocked by a defender.

All that good work, though, went to waste when Swindon then opened the scoring with their first real attack.

The goal was of the highest quality, with the hosts stringing together 14 passes before slipping in Drinan.

And he took a touch before calmly slotting the ball past Harrison and into the corner.

The hosts almost doubled their lead midway through the half.

More good football saw Glatzel get a shot away from just inside the box.

Harrison, though, was equal to it, with the Manchester United loanee getting down well to parry the ball away.

Sixty seconds later and the keeper was in action again, this time blocking at the feet of Drinan.

Town were forced into a change shortly after - with Callum Stewart replacing Lloyd.

And in the 35th minute, Stewart played a key part in a move that should have seen Salop pull level.

Both he and Marquis did really well to allow a cross to run through to Hoole.

His low shot, though, was blocked by the legs of Conor Ripley in the Swindon goal.

Town had another excellent chance just after half-time.

Marquis produced an exquisite cross to find Stewart in the box. 

And he then fired across goal - with his effort sailing inches past the post.

Appleton made a triple change just before the hour mark with Will Boyle, Isaac England and Harrison Biggins all entering the fray.

It was a move that saw Sang and Clucas move out to wing-back.

And within seconds, Town were close to a leveller with Ripley making an outstanding save to deny Perry from point-blank range.

Swindon went straight up the other end with Drinan firing over from close range.

Shrewsbury came close again in the 75th minute.

Sang's crossfield ball found England, who produced an outstanding, cushioned touch to slip Marquis in on goal.

Ripley, though, had read the danger with the keeper doing really well to race off his line and make a block at the striker's feet.

In the 89th minute, though, Town got the goal their overall performance had deserved.

It arrived from a corner with Boyle winning a header. And that took a deflection off Stewart to fly into the net.

And that should have been that.

But deep into added on time, Swindon won it - with Bodin firing in from the edge of the box.

Teams:

Swindon: Ripley, Mabete (Kirkman 80), Wright, Nichols, Glatzel (Butterworth 80), Wilson-Brown, Kilkenny, Snowdon (McGregor 80), Drinan (Bodin 69), Munroe, Oldaker (Ehibhatiomhan 69).

Subs not used: Ward, Tabor.

Shrewsbury: Harrison, Stubbs, Nsiala (Biggins 59), Anderson, Hoole (Boyle 59), Clucas, Sang, Perry (Scully 86), Benning (England 59), Marquis, Lloyd (Stewart 28).

Subs not used: Savin, Gray.

Attendance: 7,498 (370 away)