Southampton vs Shrewsbury match report

Nov 7 2010 by CRouter CRouter, Sunday Mercury

DISAPPOINTED Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner saluted his underdogs after late heartbreak at St Mary’s Stadium.

Shrewsbury were seconds away from forcing a deserved replay until Southampton struck twice in stoppage time.

Former Wolves’ striker David Connolly, having just been sent on as a sub, reacted quickest to lash in the rebound after keeper Chris Neal saved well from Dan Harding.

And Saints quickly added a second with the classy Adam Lallana superbly bending in a delightful strike.

“We were almost looking forward to a replay so it’s heartbreaking,” said Turner. “To compete for 90 minutes and then lose in injury time is a cruel blow.”

Shrewsbury had the better chances in the first half with right-back Dean Holden twice forcing fine stops from Southampton keeper Kelvin Davis.

And winger Mark Wright tried his luck with a blistering 25-yarder which the Saints’ No 1 kicked over the bar.

Southampton had a flurry of chances at the start of the second half with Sean McAllister denying Richard Chaplow with a goal-line clearance.

But all of Shrewsbury’s hard work was undone right at the death.

Defeat was especially tough on Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Exodus Geohaghon who were both outstanding at the heart of the visiting defence.