Wrexham stunned by Shrewsbury! Red Dragons' promotion hopes suffer blow as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side suffer shock defeat to League One strugglers

Wrexham fell behind in the 17th minute when John Marquis' rasping drive got the better of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. The visitors were behind for just six minutes, though, after Steven Fletcher headed in Ryan Barnett's pinpoint cross for his fifth goal in his last seven league games.

Oliver Rathbone spurned a glorious chance just before half time as his header from six yards out went well wide. The Welsh side had a disastrous start to the second half when Eoghan O'Connell clumsily brought down George Lloyd and Marquis scored from the rebound after Okonkwo saved his 48th-minute penalty.

Substitute Paul Mullin and Fletcher had efforts cleared off the line late on but it proved to be a night of frustration for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's team who lost 2-1 in the cross-border derby.

Shrewsbury are still in the relegation spots but closed the gap to 20th-placed Bristol Rovers to five points. Wrexham, on the other hand, are third behind Wycombe Wanderers on goal difference and Birmingham City are two points clear, with have three games in hand.

While Barnett and Fletcher impressed for Wrexham, particularly the former, Shrewsbury striker Marquis proved the difference in the end with two goals of his own. The former Portsmouth man was a real handful, as was team-mate Lloyd.

Eoghan O'Connell had a night to forget for Wrexham. He conceded a penalty with a lumbering, blundering challenge and struggled to deal with Shrewsbury's attack all night. The usually dependable defender, who was taken off with 15 minutes to go, was far from his best at The Shrews.

Phil Parkinson's Wrexham are next in League One action at home to league leaders Birmingham next Thursday in a huge clash at the top of the table.