Oxford 2 Shrewsbury Town 0 - Report and pictures

Analysis

Two minutes of first-half madness cost Paul Hurst’s side on the day, but the long-term aim was secured as Town cementing an 18th-placed finish, meaning they will enjoy a third consecutive League One campaign next year.

It remains to be seen what type of business Hurst carries out over the summer, but his primary objective was completed and the rendition of ‘Paul Hurst’s Barmy Army’ from almost 900 away fans was meant with real appreciation and gratitude.

Hurst opted for an unchanged line-up to the side that secured those crucial three points against Southend. Top scorer Louis Dodds failed to recover from the Achilles injury that sidelined him in last week’s warm-up.

There were starts for Ryan Yates and Stefan Payne in the final game of their loan spells.

A couple of unfamiliar names on the bench included academy graduates Callum Roberts, a right-back, and forward John McAtee. The duo were part of the five Town youngsters offered their first pro deals by Hurst recently.

Shrews were boosted by the absence of Conor McAleny, Oxford’s go-to dangerman in recent weeks, the on-loan Everton man had struck 10 times since arriving in January.

A bright, end-to-end opening saw Bryn Morris almost latch onto an Oxford slip inside a minute, while lively host’s front man Marvin Johnson turned Yates inside out before Shrews were saved by a fine last-ditch Mat Sadler block.

Oxford were tidy in possession and started to see more of the ball despite really troubling Jayson Leutwiler’s goal, though the Canada international escaped trouble of his own making as a clearance was charged down by Johnson.

The action broke up as, bizarrely, within 90 seconds of each Oxford lost both full-backs, Joe Skarz and Christian Ribeiro both forced off with injuries inside 12 minutes.

The game truly burst into life 15 minutes in. Centre-half Raglan robbed Morris and continued his fine run, charging beyond Town defence before powering into the net with the confident finish of a striker.

If that was bad enough, Town were rattled and shipped an immediate second. Top scorer Chris Maguire charged down the left, approached byline and measured a ball along the six-yard box that was bundled in by Hall.

It was United’s 100th goal of a season that included deep runs to the final of the Checkatrade Trophy and FA Cup fifth round.

The two early injuries clearly had little impact on the hosts.

Shrews found their feet in front of their healthy and now disbelieving following. A nice move led to Shaun Whalley crossing perfectly for Yates, but the on-loan Nottingham Forest man could only send his free header wide.

A positive Alex Rodman drive of 50 yards lifted Town spirits, the winger showed plenty of pace to beat his challengers but was let down by the final ball.

But the injury theme continued as shortly after half hour Town’s right-back Joe Riley went down awkwardly from Maguire’s challenge. Following a lengthy stoppage he was forced to leave on a stretcher after treatment to his ankle.

On the stroke of five additional minutes Johnson blazed over for the Yellows after fine work by Joe Rothwell, an escape for the officials who hadn’t spotted the ball going out.

Leutwiler was then on his toes to tip over a speculative Johnson effort from distance that had taken a wicked deflection.

Johnson went close after the break to adding a third for the hosts but his shot flew inches across Town’s goal, before Abu Ogogo almost netted his first goal of the season on the final day but pulled a volley wide from inside the box.

Hurst’s side went closest yet as they gelled a fine move together, involving strong hold-up play from Payne and a wicked cross from Ogogo, on-loan Barnsley man Payne helped a finish just wide of goal.

Maguire sent a free-kick wide for Oxford midway through the half before Toto Nsiala sent a looping header wide. Chances were at a premium and little more than sniffs of goal.

Payne had Town fans prematurely celebrating as he barged his way through on goal but his finish, which looked in, rippled the side netting.

While a late fightback seemed to be beyond Town there was a hint of encouragement after a second-half improvement, boosted further by the late introduction of academy graduate John McAtee, who sampled his first taste of first-team football after recently signing a pro deal as Hurst’s glimpsed towards the future.

Teams

Oxford United (4-4-1-1):

Eastwood; Ribeiro (Carroll, 12), Nelson, Raglan, Skarz (Long, 11); Hall, Ruffels, Lundstram (c), Rothwell; Maguire (Hemmings, 76), Johnson

Subs not used: Stevens (gk), Edwards, Dunkley.

Shrewsbury (4-4-1-1):

Leutwiler; Riley (Smith, 33), Nsiala, Sadler, Brown; Whalley, Yates (McAtee, 84), Ogogo (c), Rodman; Morris, Payne

Subs not used: Halstead (gk), Ladapo, Roberts, Humphrys.

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 9,287 (897 Shrewsbury fans)

Position in the table

18th (51 points from 46 games)