Alex Gilliead nets the winner for Shrewsbury

Posted Sunday, October 07, 2018 by PA

Alex Gilliead headed the winner as Shrewsbury beat 10-man Accrington 1-0 to register a second League One victory of the season.

Stanley had goalkeeper Connor Ripley sent off in the early stages and the Shrews made the breakthrough just past the hour when Gilliead nodded home a cross from Shaun Whalley.

Accrington started brightly with Sam Finley’s low drive from just outside the penalty area tipped round a post by goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

Lively former Shrewsbury midfielder Jordan Clark then twice went close for Stanley, bending a 20-yard effort just wide before also narrowly missing the target from a similar range.

Accrington were reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute when Ripley was shown a straight red card for colliding with Lee Angol on the edge of the penalty area.

Ollie Norburn went close for Shrewsbury at the start of the second half when his well struck shot was stopped by substitute goalkeeper Jonny Maxted.

Shrewsbury took the lead in the 62nd minute when former Newcastle winger Gilliead headed in Whalley’s inviting cross from the right.

Omar Beckles almost added a late second but Maxted saved well.