Michael Appleton reveals half-time rocket sparked Shrewsbury into life

Shrewsbury manager Michael Appleton said it was “hard to be too negative”, despite his side twice surrendering the lead to draw 2-2 at Oldham.

The Shrews stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a point at Boundary Park, but Appleton revealed it took a dressing room rocket at half-time to spark his players into life after a goalless first half in which Oldham were denied by the woodwork three times.

Anthony Scully fired Shrewsbury in front within seconds of the restart with a shot which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Tom Pett equalised in the 51st minute with his first goal for Oldham, before Tommy McDermott scored his first league goal in the first minute of stoppage time to restore Shrewsbury’s lead after a defensive mix-up.

But veteran striker Joe Garner sent the home fans wild with a headed equaliser in the fifth minute of time added on.

“I thought we were really poor in the first half, not competitive enough, not aggressive enough, brave enough,” said Appleton. “We lacked a lot of qualities that we’ve been really good at recently, and could have and probably should have been a goal or two down at half-time.

“I’m disappointed with that.
I let my feelings well and truly known at half-time.

“I didn’t say anything particularly technical or tactical to them. It was just me ranting and raving, which is not always a good thing, but it needed doing. I needed to get it off my chest and luckily we got a response in the second half.

“I think because of the way we lacked a little bit of competitive edge in the first half, that was probably the result of why we probably conceded towards the end.”

Oldham have won only once at home this season, but manager Micky Mellon took positives in the point.

“We did our best to make hard work of it,” he said.

“We hit the post and the bar, and then to lose a goal after half-time from, I believe, Shrewsbury’s first effort at goal. But to be fair the boys kept going and we got a thoroughly-deserved equaliser.

“And then we gave away a crazy goal – and you think is it going to be your day?

“But to be fair to the boys we kept going and I think the least we deserved was the equaliser and a really good header from Joe.

“But we made very hard work of a game that we could have been maybe out of sight in, but we weren’t good enough to put the ball in the net in those moments. But the positives are that we got something out of it. With a minute to go you’re going to take that.”