It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t a good watch … but Wednesday managed to take another important three points in a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury at Hillsborough this afternoon.
The victory stretches our unbeaten league run to seven games and we stay in third place on 40 points, one behind Ipswich in second and now just three points behind leaders Plymouth after they conceded in added time in a 2-2 draw at Burton.
Overall, we had much the better of the game but were far from playing at our best and ended up having to survive late pressure from the visitors to secure the victory.
Tyreeq Bakinson, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Josh Windass all missed first-half chances before Mark McGuinness struck the all-important goal six minutes before half time.
The. central defender rose at the near post to head Barry Bannan’s corner across goal and into the net, recording his first goal for the club at the same time.
Shrewsbury, who had failed to get a shot on target in the first half, went close after the restart when Taylor Moore shot wide.
Wednesday just couldn’t find any consistent attacking rhythm, although Bannan went close to doubling the lead when he forced a diving save out of keeper Marlon Marosi, Lee Gregory then turning the loose ball into the side netting.
We were our own worst enemy by giving the ball away too often when in possession and the visitors began to cause problems in the closing stages, not least when defender Matthew Pennington curled an effort just wide.
However, we held on for another three points and a clean sheet, also opening up a nine-point gap on fourth-placed Peterborough.
Stockdale, Iorfa (Palmer 83), Ihiekwe, McGuinness, James, Mighten (Gregory 69), Bakinson, Dele-Bashiru (Vaulks 83), Bannan, Windass (Wilks 76), Smith. Subs. Dawson, Shipston, Paterson. Att: 24,271.