Shrewsbury 1-1 Fleetwood: Hunter grabs point from the bench

Substitute Ashley Hunter made an instant impact off the bench by grabbing a late equaliser for Fleetwood in a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury.

Substitute Ashley Hunter made an instant impact off the bench by grabbing a late equaliser for Fleetwood in a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury.

The home side made a flying start and took the lead in the sixth minute. Jordan Clark's lively run troubled the Fleetwood defence and when the visitors were unable to clear, the ball ran Clark's way again and his shot was diverted home by team-mate Liam McAlinden from close range.

Fleetwood pushed forward in search of an equaliser in difficult, blustery conditions and right-back Conor McLaughlin was frustrated to see his effort deflected off target.

Striker David Ball was then sent clear with just Mark Halstead to beat, but the goalkeeper came out on top with an important block.

Shrewsbury ended the first half strongly, with Scott Vernon just unable to get on the end of an inviting Junior Brown free-kick.

Ian Black twice tested goalkeeper Chris Maxwell with shots from distance after the break, but Fleetwood were always dangerous and Halstead had to be alert to impressively block efforts from Ball and David Henen.

Fleetwood continued to press and were finally rewarded six minutes from time when Hunter, having just been introduced from the bench, raced onto a pass from fellow sub Tariqe Fosu and fired confidently past the advancing Halstead to secure a hard-earned point.