Match Report | Shrewsbury 2-2 Colchester

A last-gasp equaliser from Moses Sesay denied Town all three points as Colchester snatched a 2-2 draw at the Croud Meadow.

Town looked to have secured a deserved victory when Isaac Fletcher fired home in the 92nd minute, capping a superb performance from Gavin Cowan’s side.

Luca Hoole had earlier brought Town level after Sesay had given the visitors the lead, before Salop piled on the pressure in search of a winner.

Town came agonisingly close on several occasions, with headers from Sam Stubbs and Hoole both hacked off the goal-line, while Colchester goalkeeper Timothee Lo-Tutala produced a string of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest.

But with victory seemingly within touching distance, Sesay struck again in the 95th minute to snatch a point for the visitors.

It was a cruel blow for Town, who had done more than enough to merit all three points after producing an excellent display

Team news:

Town lined up in a familiar 3-4-1-2 system for the visit of the U's but with manager Gavin Cowan having to deal with a host of absentees.

Both Kian McMahon Brown and Arkell Jude-Boyd missed out due to their international exploits while Josh Ruffles, Michael Golding, Jack Price and Sam Proctor were all unavailable due to injury.

It meant Town lined up with Will Brook in goal and Sam Stubbs, Will Boyle and Tom Anderson making up the back three.

Luca Hoole continued at right wing-back with Kevin Berkoe on the left.

Tom Sang and Jay Turner-Cooke were both deployed in the middle of the park with Isaac Fletcher more advanced in the number 10 role.

Up front, George Lloyd was partnered by Josh Davison.

Colchester lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with former Salop loanee Bradley Ihionvien leading the line.

Jack Payne operated in the 10 role with Harry Anderson and Kylian Kouassi out wide.

Report:
Town started the brighter of the two sides, with Berkoe and Sang both whipping dangerous deliveries into the visitors’ box.

But it was Southampton loanee Cesay who came closest to breaking the deadlock early on, cutting in from the flank before curling an effort narrowly wide of the post.

Ihionvien then showed plenty of ambition as he tried his luck from a remarkable 60 yards, though his effort was comfortably gathered by Brook.

The Town goalkeeper was called into action again moments later - and this time produced an outstanding save.

Payne carried the ball towards the Town goal before finding Cesay in space on the right. The winger then delivered a low cross towards Payne, who looked certain to turn the ball home, only for Brook to read the danger brilliantly and produce a superb block.

Cesay continued to cause Town problems and, just before the 20-minute mark, he found a way through.

The Southampton loanee once again cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the corner to give the visitors the lead.

Town responded immediately, with Stubbs rising to meet a corner but heading over the crossbar.

Only an outstanding save from Timothee Lo-Tutala then prevented Salop from drawing level.

Fletcher delivered a dangerous cross which Hoole met with a brilliant header, sending the ball towards the top corner. Lo-Tutala, though, produced a superb reaction save to tip the effort over the bar.

But from the resulting corner, Hoole went one better.

The defender rose highest and this time powered the ball into the far corner, leaving Lo-Tutala with no chance and bringing Town level.

Suddenly, Salop were purring.

Fletcher stood up another inviting cross, which Lloyd met with a superb header, but once again Lo-Tutala was equal to it, making another excellent save.

Cowan’s side continued to press and came close again just before the interval when Sang looped a cross into the box for Boyle, but Lo-Tutala was well positioned to claim.

There was still time for one more opportunity before the break, with Lloyd latching onto a ball into the box before firing over.

The opening stages of the second half proved less frantic than the first.

But just before the hour mark, Town came within a whisker of taking the lead.

Another dangerous corner was delivered into the box and Stubbs rose highest to meet it, only for his header to be hacked off the line.

Cowan made his first change with around 25 minutes to go - Will Gray replacing Davison in a move that saw Fletcher move up front.

And Gray almost netted his first of the season just seconds later - firing over from 20 yards.

Sesay had been quiet since the opening stages. But in the 76th minute he went on another brilliant, mazy, run before firing just wide.

Salop had another header hacked off the line in the 85th minute - this time Hoole seeing a header booted clear.

Osacr Thorn then got in behind for Colchester only for Hoole to make an outstanding recovery tackle.

Salop then threatened again when Fletcher turned on the edge of the box before seeing an effort saved by Lo-Tutala.

In added on time, though, Salop got the goal they deserved.

Lloyd drove into the box before seeing a low shot spilled by Lo-Tutala.

And Fletcher reacted quickest to slam the ball in from close range.

Incredibly, though, Colchester went straight up the other end with Sesay slamming the ball home to grab a point for his side.

TEAMS:
Shrewsbury: Brook, Stubbs, Boyle, Anderson, Hoole, Sang, Turner-Cooke, Berkoe, Fletcher, Lloyd, Davison (Gray 66).

Subs not used: Gregory, England, Lee, Sousa, Gbode, Aiston.

Colchester: Lo-Tutala, Hunt, Landolo, Tucker, Anderson (Lubala 73), Ihionvien (Thorn 73), Payne, Sesay, Kouassi (Connolly 90), Raggett, Williams.

Subs not used: Roberts, Digby, Terry, Kuffour.