by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham were beaten by an injury-time penalty at Priestfield on Saturday.

Nicky Wroe scored from the spot in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to hand Shrewsbury the points.

For the Gills, they were made to pay for failing to convert from the spot themselves, after Danny Kedwell had seen his first half effort saved by keeper Ben Smith.

Kedwell (pictured) had netted twice from the spot in the Gills’ last home game but infront of the Rainham End he saw his low shot saved by Smith midway through the half.

The opportunity from the spot came after Luke Rooney, in for Danny Spiller, was felled by Shrews defender Jermaine Grandison.

Rooney had looked sharp on the left flank for the Gills and had earlier come close with a low shot that was drilled across the face of Smith’s goal.

Shrewsbury, with decent attacking players in their line-up, came close themselves in the opening half and striker Marvin Morgan should have converted from close range.

He instead blasted over after Gills keeper Ross Flitney had parried Shane Cansdell-Sherriff’s header into his path.

On the half hour Wroe curled an effort narrowly wide from outside the area as the visitors remained dangerous – buoyed by Smith’s penalty save.

Just before the break Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler made a switch as Jack Payne limped off for Dennis Oli. The Gills switched formation, from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2, with Oli joining Kedwell in attack.

In the opening minute of the second half Morgan had a shot turned wide of the post by Flitney and from the subsequent corner headed into the side netting.

Barry Fuller also needed to make a good tackle to deny Mark Wright after the Shrewsbury man broke clear.

The visitors continued to press forward at the start of the second half and Flitney had to make a great low save to tip Wroe’s shot wide.

Rooney drilled a couple of low shots on target at the other end but Smith dealt with them comfortably, as he did with Lewis Montrose’s powerful effort.

An open second half saw chances at both ends and Barry Fuller had to make a desperate block to deny Morgan after Terry Gornell had played him in.

The game was decided from the spot when Flitney felled Sean McAllister in the box. Wroe’s first attempt was converted but he was made to retake it by referee Fred Graham due to encroachment. He made no mistake with the second attempt to ruin Gills’ day.

Gills: Flitney, Fuller, Frampton, Lawrence, Jackman, J Payne (Oli 43mins), Montrose (Martin 70mins), Lee, Weston (Whelpdale 59mins), Rooney, Kedwell. Subs not used: Richards, Gazzaniga.

Shrewsbury: Smith, Grandison, Jacobson, McAllister, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, Wright, Wroe, Morgan, Ainsworth, Gornell. Subs not used: Neal, Leslie, Hazell, Richards, Goldson.

Attendance: 4,869

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