EFL Trophy | Tranmere 1-0 Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town fell to defeat at Tranmere in the EFL Trophy - on a day where they really should have won comfortably.

In the end, a second-half strike from Dylan Jones won it for the hosts in the newly named Jersey Mike's Subs' Trophy.

But Gavin Cowan's side were the better team on the night, with Tranmere's goal living a charmed life.

George Lloyd fired over when through on goal, Tom Sang hit the post and saw an effort well saved by Coniah Boyce-Clarke.

Other opportunities for Isaac Lee, Joe Gbode, Isaac Fletcher and Arkell Jude-Boyd also came and went.

And that ensured it was Rovers who kicked off the tournament by claiming all three points.

Team news:

Town lined up in a 3-4-1-2 system for the Group E clash.

It saw Cameron Gregory make his debut in goal with Sam Stubbs, Tom Anderson and Isaac Lee making up the back three.

Arkell Jude-Boyd started at right wing-back - ahead of joining up with his national side St Lucia - while Lino Sousa made his first Town start on the left.

Tom Sang and Isaac England made up the midfield two with Michael Golding more advanced in the number 10 role.

George Lloyd and Joe Gbode were the front two.

Youngsters Ollie Hall and Huge Aiston were named among the substitutes.

Tranmere, under the guidance of manager Daryl Clarke, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with Courtney Baker-Richardson the lone striker.

James Plant operated in the 10 role with Ryan Watson and David Kamara on the wings.

Report:

Both teams moved the ball well in the opening stages, but it was the hosts who created the game's first big chance.

It came from a corner, with Charlie Veevers whipping in a ball that George Nevett headed narrowly wide.

Town responded with Sang finding Golding on the edge of the box.

He then drilled a powerful low strike towards goal that was well struck but straight at keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke.

Midway through the half and Town would have had a penalty but for the sportsmanship of Jude-Boyd.

A clever pass from Golding got the wing-back racing into the box with goalkeeper Boyce-Clarke racing off his line to try and smoother the ball.

Jude-Boyd got their first - and despite the keeper making clear contact with him - raced to try and keep the ball in play when, had he gone down, referee Paul Marsden would have had no choice but to point to the spot.

Within a minute, Salop came close again.

A brilliant ball from England sent Lloyd through on goal - but the forward blazed his strike over the bar.

The chances were now coming thick and fast for Salop - with Jude-Boyd whipping in a cross that Lee headed over.

Sang then produced a sensational strike from 20 yards that cannoned against the post.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Gbode had an effort from distance that Boyle-Clarke had to get down to parry away.

Cowan made a double change at the break with Isaac Fletcher and Will Gray replacing Lloyd and Sang.

And in the 47th minute, Town created the first chance of the half with Jude-Boyd whipping in a dangerous ball that Boyce-Clarke got to just ahead of Gbode.

After a spell of pressure, Fletcher then saw a shot from eight yards blocked.

Salop had been so on top - they just needed to score.

And in a bid to find that goal, Cowan made another double change with youngsters Byron Pendleton and Huge Aiston introduced for Stubbs and Jude-Boyd.

But within seconds, Tranmere had taken the lead with Kamara sending in a low cross that Jones was able to tap home.

Town immediately went in search of an equaliser with England sending in a cross which Lee met only to see his header claimed by the keeper.

Teams:

Tranmere: Boyce-Clarke, Scott (Faulkner 63), Baker-Richardson (Okoro 64), Veevers (Mann 89), O'Connor, Brough, Kamara, Warrington, Plant (Jones 64), Nevett, Watson.

Subs not used: Male, Mann, McEvily.

Shrewsbury: Gregory, Stubbs (Aiston 68), Anderson, Lee, Jude-Boyd (Pendleton 68), Sang (Gray 46), England, Sousa, Golding, Lloyd (Fletcher 46), Gbode.

Subs not used: Brook, Boyle, Hall.