Shrewsbury Town 0 PNE 1
North End made it back to back 1-0 away wins post-Christmas with a late winner at Greenhous Meadow.
Substitute Iain Hume’s cross was turned into his own net by Ryan Woods with just 11 minutes left, to send the sell out away end into delirium in Shropshire.
Manager Simon Grayson made two changes to the side that were victorious at Carlisle on Boxing Day; Jack King rested and Paul Gallagher on the bench – Kevin Davies and Joe Garner returning to partner one-another in attack.
The first half was certainly a slow burner; with neither side able to carve out too many clear cut chances; set pieces the many threats for Declan Rudd and his counterpart Chris Weale in the Shrewsbury goal.
It was from one such opportunity in the 12th minute that saw Weale tested first, Neil Kilkenny’s corner tipped around the post by the former Leicester man.
Whilst this was taking place, Kevin Davies was off the field, where he remained for five minutes, following picking up a bloodied nose as the hands of big Salop centre half Dave Winfield.
North End started to put together some good passing together and Joe Garner almost threaded through Josh Brownhill on 18 minutes, but it was a yard too strong for the PNE No.30.
The first threat from the home side came on 20 minutes as Tom Eaves bustled his way through down the right hand side and forced a save low to his left by Declan Rudd.
At the midway point in the half a Brownhill shot - after a Garner knock down - from 20 yards, was deflected for corner. Kilkenny put the ball into the mixer outswinger from the right hand side; but Paul Huntington’s header was claimed by Weale.
Eight minutes before the break, good combination play between skipper Welsh and Buchanan down the left saw the wing back get into the box; he spun on the penalty spot and shot just wide of the left hand post.
Right on half-time, Declan Rudd was at full stretch to deny Jon Taylor with a curling shot from 25 yards out in left hand channel.
The second half started with no changes from either side, but it saw some good passing by North End that almost saw Chris Humphrey free on the right hand side of the box after clever build up play by Joe Garner, however, Shrewsbury were able to get the ball behind for a corner, from which Garner felt he was fouled as he headed over.
Kevin Davies then saw a header blocked by Winfield from Buchanan’s cross on 54 minutes as Lilywhite pressure built.
Paul Huntington picked up his fifth booking of the season on the hour mark, ruling him out of the home game against Port Vale on New Year’s Day.
A double change, with Holmes and Gallagher on, also saw a change of formation for North End to 4-4-2 with half an hour left.
Paul Huntington headed wide Kilkenny’s corner with 15 minutes left, as Iain Hume was added to the attack to look for a goal for North End.
North End had the lead with 11 minutes to go and Hume created it. The best passing move of the game saw Garner spin the ball behind the Shrews defence for Hume to race in behind and slam the ball across the box and Ryan Woods turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Paul Gallagher.
Five minutes of stoppage time was added on by match official Mark Haywood, but North End spent the majority of it in the final third of the home side to make it seven away wins in eight games.
Shrewsbury Town line-up: Weale, Jacobson, Summerfield, Winfield, McAllister (Wildig, 84), Bradshaw (Marsden, 84), Taylor, Mkandawire, Woods, Reach (Parry, 78), Eaves. Subs not used: Anyon, Jones, McQuade, Gayle .
PNE line-up: Rudd, Huntington, Clarke, Wright, Humphrey (Holmes, 62), K Davies (Hume, 75), Garner, Buchanan, Welsh, Brownhill (Gallagher, 61), Kilkenny. Subs not used: Stuckmann, Keane, Laird, Beavon.
: 6,379 (1,598 away fans)Attendance