Sam Ricketts has suffered his first league defeat as manager of Shrewsbury Town after his side were beaten 2-1 by Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.
A howler from Shrews keeper Steve Arnold gifted Liam Boyce the opening goal after just three minutes before Scott Fraser sealed the win late on with a neat effort from just inside the area. Fejiri Okenabirhie netted a consolation goal in second half injury time for the visitors but it was too little, too late.
We didn’t have to wait long for the game’s opening goal with Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Arnold handing Burton Albion an early Christmas present when he made a mess of a clearance, kicking the ball at striker Boyce before it bounced into the back of the net.
The Shrews responded and Josh Laurent forced a good save from home keeper Brad Collins before Stephen Quinn struck an effort over the bar at the other end.
A mix up in the Shrewsbury Town defence then almost let in Boyce to net his second goal of the afternoon but the player could only find the side-netting with his shot as Burton Albion went into the break with a one-goal lead.
The second half didn’t really produce many goalscoring opportunities. Shrewsbury Town forward Okenabirhie had one clear sight of goal but was tripped by Burton Albion substitute Jake Buxton 25 yards out. The referee deemed the foul to be worthy of a yellow card rather than a red.
There was to be a second goal and when the visitors failed to clear their lines following a cross from the left, Fraser rifled in for the hosts from 16 yards.
Shrewsbury Town did not surrender and Okenabirhie tested Collins with a sharp shot from distance before Lucas Akins saw a low effort saved by Arnold at the other end.
The Shrews were to grab a consolation goal when in injury time, Okenabirhie latched onto a flick on to fire the ball past Collins.
The win sees Burton Albion leapfrog Shrewsbury Town in the Sky Bet League One table.
