Fulham were three minutes away from their first win over the season before John Moore’s late strike rescued a point for Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow this afternoon.
The Shrews took the lead in tenth minute through a superb 25-yard strike from former Aston Villa striker Dean Spink. That should have opened the floodgates for the home side, who completely dominated the first period, but player-manager Asa Hartford’s men completely lost their way after captain Tony Kelly failed to return from the dressing at half time having twisted an ankle in the first period.
A rush of blood from Tommy Lynch saw the Irish sweeper needlessly bundle over John Marshall two minutes in the second half in the box when they appeared to be little danger. Shrews goalkeeper Steve Perks pushed Martin Pike’s penalty onto the post, but the Fulham full back followed up to tuck away the rebound. The visitors gradually begin to dictate matters and took the lead seventeen minutes from time when debutant Kelly Haag, signed from near neighbours Brentford, fabulously flicked Mark Kelly’s cross past Perks.
Under-pressure manager Alan Dicks looked to have finally got a first win with a gritty away display but former FC Utrecht forward Moore volleyed home substitute Carl Griffiths’ cross with three minutes remaining to the relief of the home faithful.
SHREWSBURY TOWN: Perks; Lynch, Blake, Heathcote, Worsley, Brown, T. Kelly (Weir 45), Hartford, Naughton (Griffiths 57), Moore, Spink.
GOALS: Spink (10), Moore (87).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Newson, Baker, Ferney (Skinner 45), M. Kelly, Brazil, Haag (Joseph 83).
GOALS: Pike (48), Haag (73).
ATTENDANCE: 2,929.
