Okenabirhie’s second-half equaliser at Coventry makes Shrewsbury safe

Posted Monday, April 29, 2019 by PA

Fejiri Okenabirhie scored a second-half equaliser as Shrewsbury claimed a draw at Coventry to make safe their League One status.

There was a distinct end-of-season feel to Coventry’s last home game of the season as the two sides shared the spoils in a lacklustre 1-1 draw.

Excluding a huge goal difference swing, the home team’s hopes of a place in the play-offs were all-but over, and kind results the previous day meant Shrewsbury were mathematically safe from the drop.

Jordan Shipley gave the home side the lead after 16 minutes.

A smart one-two with Jordy Hiwula played the midfielder in as his effort was saved by Shrews goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell and Shipley finished into an empty net when the rebound fell at his feet.

Shrewsbury equalised after 78 minutes when a long-range effort was scuffed by skipper Luke Waterfal and the miss-hit fell kindly to Okenabirhie, who poked the ball home from six yards out for a share of the spoils.

The biggest cheer of the day came as Coventry legend Steve Ogrizovic was presented to the fans after the former goalkeeper’s recent retirement announcement after 35 years at the club as both player and coach.