Goals from Marcus Assarsson and Bright Amoateng weren’t enough to prevent Wanderers Under-18s from going down to a narrow reverse at Shrewsbury Town.
Following on from their opening draw 2-2 draw against Tranmere Rovers, Mark Litherland’s Academy lads travelled to Salop in good spirits.
The visitors got underway positively and started the stronger out of both teams with some good combinations play in the final third being on display by the Whites.
However, Town’s direct play ensured that both sides were struggling to bring any rhythm into their game.
The hosts took the lead when Elliot Tibbs curled in a free-kick beyond Luke Hutchinson, who took a heavy challenge as he tried to reach the ball.
The Shrews’ spurned a chance to increase their lead when Liam Thomas blasted over the crossbar from the spot after Bloxham was upended in the box.
Wanderers’ response was positive and Assarsson equalised on the half hour mark when he slotted beyond the Shrewsbury ‘keeper.
Wanderers got the second-half underway and controlled the game in a more determined manner.
Unfortunately, the hosts restored their lead five minutes after the restart when Thomas atoned for his early penalty miss.
Again, Wanderers responded well with Bright Amoateng scoring a great individual goal to level matters for a second time.
The visitors were well on top – dominating possession - and looking the most likely to go on and claim the victory, but with five minutes of the contest remaining, the defence misjudged a high ball which allowed Ethan O’Toole to smash the ball into the net.
Academy Manager Mark Litherland said: “Scoring two goals away from home should be enough to win any game so I was really disappointed that we never won.
“That’s two games now where we have dominated the opposition and should have won both games.”
Wanderers Line-Up:
Hutchinson, Whalley, Conway, Pettifer (Le Fondre 46 (Brown 47)), Colvin (Thompson 63), Toure, Tweedley, Riley, Amoateng, Assarsson, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Litherland, Ahmed.