Shrewsbury go second with hard-fought win over struggling Gillingham

Posted Sunday, September 03, 2017 by PA

Shrewsbury moved up to second in Sky Bet League One after they continued their unbeaten start with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against struggling Gillingham.

Norwich loanee Carlton Morris opened the scoring on the half hour, blazing into the top corner from 10 yards following good work on the left by Alex Rodman.

Provider turned scorer seven minutes later, as the midfielder headed in his second of the season from Shaun Whalley's brilliant cross.

Substitute Josh Parker scored Gillingham's consolation 14 minutes from time, heading in unmarked from Scott Wagstaff's curling delivery.

Without a league win since Good Friday, the hosts started the game the brighter, with visiting goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray making a fine save to deny Gills striker Liam Nash from 18 yards.

Captain Lee Martin also missed a golden opportunity to equalise at 1-0, scuffing his shot after rushing to meet Nash's low cross into the box.

Rodman saw his placed shot miss the target by inches after going through on goal, while Gills goalkeeper Tomas Holy made a good save to deny Morris from an acute angle.

Billy Bingham almost equalised 10 minutes from time with a blazed 25-yard effort that had MacGillivray beaten.