Shrewsbury Town suffered a 3-1 defeat to Barnet at Croud Meadow in a League Two match on Matchday Two. Jake Reeves' early strike gave the visitors the lead inside the opening ten minutes, but Josh Davison levelled for Town just before half-time. Barnet secured victory with goals from Charlie Lakin and substitute Tom Knowles in the closing stages.
First Half
Barnet took the lead within the opening ten minutes when Reeves picked his spot from the edge of the box with a strike that beat diving goalkeeper Will Brook. Town responded well, with Will Gray's rising effort from distance flying narrowly over the crossbar moments later.
Joseph Gbodé caused problems down the wing, driving forward and crossing into the box, but a diving Barnet defender blocked what looked a simple tap-in at the near post, turning it behind for a corner.
Town's pressure told just before the break. In the 42nd minute, Davison had the simplest of finishes after Barnet's defence made a mess of clearing their lines, tapping home to level the scores at half-time.
Second Half
Town picked up where they left off after the restart and thought they had taken the lead soon after. Will Boyle rose to meet an Isaac Fletcher cross with a header that players and supporters were convinced had crossed the line, but referee William Davis and his assistant did not give it.
Salop continued to press, with Gray finding Arkell Jude-Boyd with a good pass out wide, but the wing-back's rifled effort was deflected behind for a corner.
Barnet made their moments count in the end, with Lakin and Knowles both finding the net in the closing stages to seal victory.
Team News
Manager Gav Cowan set Town up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Will Boyle handed the captaincy. Will Brook started in goal behind a back three of Luca Hoole, Boyle and Josh Ruffels, with Kevin Berkoe and Jude-Boyd as wing-backs. Tom Sang and Gray made up the midfield two, with Fletcher in behind a front two of Davison and Joseph Gbodé, who replaced George Lloyd.