Josh Simpson's late strike earned Crawley a share of the points at home to League One strugglers Shrewsbury.

The visitors had responded to Simpson's first-minute effort with an equaliser from captain Matt Richards.

John Taylor's run and shot then gave Town the lead on 34 minutes, only a save from Paul Jones denying Luke Rodgers in the second period.

Despite Simpson firing Crawley level nine minutes from time, their winless league run was extended to seven games.

While Crawley drop to 10th, Shrewsbury climb a place to 21st, just a point from safety with their first away point in two months.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Crawley Town manager Richie Barker:

"Draws won't get you promoted. We're not going through a great patch in terms of results, but if we continue dominating games we will pick up points.

"Josh Simpson controlled the game. His two finishes were excellent and he thoroughly deserved his man-of-the-match award.

"We didn't deserve any less than a point."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Crawley Town

  • 01 Jones
  • 03 Sadler
  • 04 Connolly Booked
  • 13 Hunt
  • 28 Davis
  • 06 Akpan Booked
  • 08 Torres (Bulman - 66' )
  • 11 Simpson
  • 16 Adams (Jones - 89' )
  • 09 Alexander
  • 14 Ajose (Akinde - 66' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Kuipers
  • 12 Walsh
  • 19 Byrne
  • 10 Clifford
  • 15 Bulman
  • 21 Jones
  • 17 Akinde

Shrewsbury Town

  • 01 Weale
  • 02 Grandison
  • 03 Jacobson
  • 05 Jones
  • 18 Goldson
  • 04 Summerfield
  • 07 Wright (Parry - 28' )
  • 08 Richards
  • 11 Taylor
  • 10 Morgan
  • 29 Rodgers (Bradshaw - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Anyon
  • 06 Purdie
  • 14 Hall
  • 17 Parry
  • 20 Wildig
  • 09 Bradshaw
  • 16 Doble
Ref: Woolmer
Att: 2,770

Match Stats

Shots

9 8

On target

5 5

Corners

5 5

Fouls

7 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:30 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +2:18

Tom Bradshaw has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide right of the target.

88:23 Substitution

Substitution Mike Jones joins the action as a substitute, replacing Nicky Adams.

87:26

Mat Sadler fouled by Matthew Richards, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Adams from left wing.

86:29

Inswinging corner taken by Nicky Adams from the right by-line, save by Chris Weale.

86:17

Nicky Adams takes a shot. Save by Chris Weale.

85:12

Long range effort by Nicky Adams goes wide right of the target.

83:32

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Richards played to the near post, Mat Sadler manages to make a clearance.

82:24

David Hunt fouled by Marvin Morgan, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Dannie Bulman.

81:55

Tom Bradshaw takes a shot. Mark Connolly gets a block in.

80:07

Assist on the goal came from Mat Sadler.

80:07 Goal scored

Goal - Josh Simpson - Crawley 2 - 2 Shrewsbury A goal is scored by Josh Simpson from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crawley Town 2-2 Shrewsbury.

78:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marvin Morgan by Dannie Bulman. Joe Jacobson restarts play with the free kick.

76:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Jones by John Akinde. Chris Weale takes the free kick.

75:19

Corner taken by Paul Parry, Luke Summerfield takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

74:19 Substitution

Substitution Tom Bradshaw comes on in place of Luke Rodgers.

71:48

Nicky Adams takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.

70:17

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jon Taylor on Nicky Adams. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Nicky Adams, save by Chris Weale.

65:35 Substitution

Substitution Sergio Torres goes off and Dannie Bulman comes on.

65:35 Substitution

Substitution (Crawley Town) makes a substitution, with John Akinde coming on for Nick Ajose.

65:19

Shot by Nicky Adams from just outside the area goes over the net.

64:52

Corner taken by Nicky Adams from the right by-line, Luke Summerfield makes a clearance.

64:13

Foul by Jon Taylor on Mark Connolly, free kick awarded. Mat Sadler takes the free kick.

61:08

Foul by Jermaine Grandison on Gary Alexander, free kick awarded. Nicky Adams restarts play with the free kick.

60:06

Nicky Adams decides to take a short corner, clearance made by Connor Goldson.

58:11

The official flags Gary Alexander offside. Indirect free kick taken by Darren Jones.

57:42

Luke Rodgers takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

53:09

The official flags Nick Ajose offside. Chris Weale takes the free kick.

52:42

The assistant referee signals for offside against Luke Rodgers. Free kick taken by David Hunt.

51:06

Mat Sadler challenges Jon Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Weale takes the free kick.

50:08

Corner taken by Jon Taylor from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Mat Sadler.

48:19

Foul by Hope Akpan on Marvin Morgan, free kick awarded. Joe Jacobson restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +3:40 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +2:47

Connor Goldson takes the direct free kick.

45:00 +2:47 Booking

Booking Hope Akpan is cautioned.

45:00 +2:38

Hope Akpan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew Richards.

44:59

Josh Simpson takes a shot. Save made by Chris Weale.

44:18

Unfair challenge on Nicky Adams by Luke Summerfield results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Jones.

43:58

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Matthew Richards, Claude Davis makes a clearance.

42:43

Matthew Richards has an effort direct from the free kick, save by Paul Jones.

42:43 Booking

Booking Mark Connolly goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

42:36

Mark Connolly challenges Marvin Morgan unfairly and gives away a free kick.

40:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Luke Summerfield on Sergio Torres. Direct free kick taken by Mark Connolly.

39:32

Foul by Hope Akpan on Luke Rodgers, free kick awarded. Joe Jacobson restarts play with the free kick.

36:35

Jermaine Grandison concedes a free kick for a foul on Nick Ajose. Mat Sadler takes the direct free kick.

33:44 Goal scored

Goal - Jon Taylor - Crawley 1 - 2 Shrewsbury Jon Taylor fires in a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crawley Town 1-2 Shrewsbury.

29:15

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jon Taylor on Sergio Torres. Direct free kick taken by Paul Jones.

28:13

Header from deep inside the penalty area by Jon Taylor goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

27:20 Substitution

Substitution (Shrewsbury) makes a substitution, with Paul Parry coming on for Mark Wright.

21:50

The offside flag is raised against Marvin Morgan. Claude Davis takes the indirect free kick.

17:59

Corner from right by-line taken by Nicky Adams. Josh Simpson takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Wright.

15:50

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Nicky Adams, save by Chris Weale.

13:03 Goal scored

Goal - Matthew Richards - Crawley 1 - 1 Shrewsbury A goal is scored by Matthew Richards from deep inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal. Crawley Town 1-1 Shrewsbury.

5:35

The referee penalises Mark Wright for handball. Josh Simpson takes the free kick.

4:04

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Richards from the right by-line, save by Paul Jones.

3:10

Gary Alexander produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

0:39

Assist on the goal came from Hope Akpan.

0:39 Goal scored

Goal - Josh Simpson - Crawley 1 - 0 Shrewsbury Josh Simpson grabs a goal from just outside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crawley Town 1-0 Shrewsbury.

0:08

Joe Jacobson concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicky Adams. Nicky Adams takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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