Shrewsbury v Coventry

Shrewsbury 4

Jones 3′ Parry 21′ Richards 62′ (pen) Morgan 64′

Coventry 1

Fleck 75′ (pen)

FT 90 +5
HT 2-0

By Ged Scott BBC Sport at the Meadow

Shrewsbury Town cruised to their biggest win of the season to sentence managerless Coventry City to a fourth straight defeat.

Town led when Darren Jones climbed above City keeper Joe Murphy to head in Paul Parry's right-wing corner.

Matt Richards diverted in Parry's free-kick to double the lead on 21 minutes.

Town struck twice in two minutes with a Richards penalty before Marvin Morgan ran clear for the fourth, John Fleck pulling one back with a late penalty.

When they last met . . .

Shrewsbury Town and Coventry City last met almost 49 years ago when they drew 0-0 in a Division Three clash in October 1963 at the Gay Meadow - just eight days after the Sky Blues had won 8-1 at Highfield Road

The Sky Blues' spot-kick was for a foul from Coventry old boy Jermaine Grandison on Gary McSheffrey.

But it was all they deserved after a poor, error-strewn performance.

Graham Turner's Town had the chance to have won by more. They had led 4-0 just past the hour mark when Morgan struck a stunning fourth goal barely 60 seconds after Richards had sent Murphy the wrong way when Luke Summerfield was fouled inside the box by William Edjenguelle.

Coventry are expected to make an announcement on their managerial vacancy on Wednesday.

But it did not look a good omen for caretaker boss Richard Shaw as the Sky Blues suffered their fourth straight league defeat under his command.

Fleck's penalty actually prevented Coventry from going bottom of League One - but it looks like a tough rebuilding job for whoever gets the job.

And former Rotherham United and Barnsley boss Mark Robins - one of the three men on the shortlist given a second interview - has now emerged as the hot favourite to take over.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"After the setback of losing our long unbeaten run against Scunthorpe on Saturday, we were looking for a response and we could not have asked much for more than that.

"The only way you can react is what we've done tonight and I've got to be very pleased.

"We've actually played better than the points we've got so far. We murdered Tranmere here and they're top. But the early goal going in settled us and tonight, for once, the goals went in."

Sky Blues caretaker manager Richard Shaw told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:

"Joe Murphy should have done a lot better with the cross for that first goal, as should the defenders, and that just set the tone for the whole performance, which was embarrassing.

"Whether it was lack of motivation, lack of desire or whatever you want to call it, I think the players let themselves down as well as the supporters that turned up, and yes, I feel let down too.

"You say all the right things before the game and then again at half-time but, for whatever reason, they didn't do it."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Shrewsbury Town

01 Weale
02 Grandison Booked
03 Jacobson
05 Jones
23 Hector
04 Summerfield
08 Richards (Wright - 71' )
17 Parry
20 Wildig
10 Morgan
24 Gornell (Taylor - 82' )

Substitutes

25 Anyon
18 Goldson
06 Purdie
07 Wright
11 Taylor
14 Hall
16 Doble

Coventry City

01 Murphy
02 Clarke
03 Hussey
24 Wood Booked
25 Edjenguele Booked
08 Baker (Fleck - 46' )
12 Jennings
15 Kilbane (McSheffrey - 63' )
16 Barton (Daniels - 46' )
14 Elliott
31 McGoldrick

Substitutes

13 Dunn
35 Brown
10 Fleck
09 McDonald
11 McSheffrey
19 O'Donovan
27 Daniels

Ref: Mohareb

Att: 5,960

Match Stats

Possession 53 47

Shots

6 9

On target

3 4

Corners

2 6

Fouls

9 10

Live Text Commentary

94:15 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:05

Gary McSheffrey takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Gary McSheffrey from the left by-line, Michael Hector makes a clearance.

90:00 +1:45

The assistant referee signals for offside against Mark Wright. Joe Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:29

Chris Hussey delivers the ball, clearance made by Michael Hector.

90:00 +0:38

Foul by Jon Taylor on William Edjenguele, free kick awarded. William Edjenguele takes the direct free kick.

89:54

A cross is delivered by John Fleck, clearance made by Michael Hector.

89:10

Effort from the edge of the box by David McGoldrick goes wide of the left-hand upright. Gary McSheffrey takes a short corner.

88:26

Corner from the left by-line taken by Mark Wright, The ball is swung over by Darren Jones, Jordan Clarke makes a clearance.

85:04 Booking

Booking Jermaine Grandison goes into the referee's book for time wasting.

83:45

Unfair challenge on William Edjenguele by Jon Taylor results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

81:45 Substitution

Substitution Jon Taylor comes on in place of Terry Gornell.