Carlton Morris scores Shrewsbury's second leg goal that helped them reach Wembley
Carlton Morris scores Shrewsbury's second leg goal that helped them reach Wembley

Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Charlton Athletic (2-0): Salop book spot at Wembley


Shrewsbury booked another Wembley appearance by beating Charlton 1-0 in the second leg of the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final.

Carlton Morris, the on-loan Norwich striker, scored the winner just before the hour mark to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory for the team that finished the season in third.

Paul Hurst's side, who were beaten by Lincoln at the national stadium in last month's Checkatrade Trophy final, will meet Rotherham or Scunthorpe at Wembley on May 27.

Shrewsbury were bottom of League One when Hurst was appointed manager in October 2016, but are now just 90 minutes away from playing in the second tier for the first time since 1989.

Jon Nolan's stunning late goal at The Valley meant Shrewsbury kicked off the return leg with an advantage and they started brightly.

They created the game's first chance when Alex Rodman turned sharply and fired in a low shot which was well dealt with by goalkeeper Ben Amos at his near post.

Lee Bowyer's Charlton enjoyed plenty of possession but found clear chances hard to come by.

Josh Magennis was well off target with an acrobatic volley and then Nicky Ajose broke into the box but central defender Aristote Nsiala produced a fine block.

Rodman then went close for the home side again just before the break when a neat move down the left saw the winger's shot from a tight angle well stopped by Amos.

Nolan fired wide for Shrewsbury early in the second half before Shaun Whalley's cross-shot was blocked by Patrick Bauer.

The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute as Whalley ran at the visiting defence down the right and pulled the ball back to Morris to take a touch and drill a powerful shot from 15 yards low past Amos.

Charlton chased an equaliser but Ben Godfrey came up with a vital block from Joe Aribo's close-range effort before Jake Forster-Caskey's 20-yard drive was pushed away by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Shrewsbury almost grabbed a late second when the visitors had committed men forward but Stefan Payne's close-range effort was brilliantly kept out by Amos.

Post-match reaction

Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst felt his side were full value for their 2-0 aggregate victory over Charlton.

"It was an excellent goal as well, a good finish, but a good move," said Hurst.

"I thought we looked a good side again," he added. "Some scary moments, probably heightened by the crowd and the occasion, but overall I don't think there's any doubt that the best team over the two games has gone through."

Hurst, who was appointed manager in 2016 when Shrewsbury were bottom of Sky Bet League One, hopes to see Sunday's celebrations repeated at Wembley.

"I'm delighted," Hurst said. "There were some great scenes at the end and I saw the delight on the players' faces. It's a special moment and obviously for the fans.

"There's certainly a realisation straight away that we've got one more game to go before we can really celebrate, if it's meant to be.

"But I was delighted again with the performance. I've just heard some people say we weren't very good in the first half, but again I'll have to maybe disagree."

Charlton finished 16 points behind Shrewsbury in the table and caretaker manager Lee Bowyer was left to rue missed chances.

"I thought we were the better side first half," he said. "I think we passed through them with ease after the first 10 minutes once we realised that we've just got to lend the ball to each other.

"Then once we got to the final third we just didn't take care of the ball really and again we didn't take our chances.

"Second half they looked a bit fresher than us and sharper, but I think we were OK.

"Then they nicked that goal, I don't know where it came from, and then it's always going to be tough, but unfortunately if you don't take your chances you're never going to win that game."

On Shrewsbury, Bowyer added: "We knew how they were going to play and they haven't changed all season. They're a physical side and they win a lot of second balls and they play from there in the final third.

"That's what they do and they're good at it - and you have to respect them."


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