A dominant first half performance should have seen Gillingham take home the points from Shrewsbury, said manager Steve Evans.

His side led 1-0 at the break but could have scored more before letting the hosts back into the League 1 match. Shrewsbury fought back to win 2-1.

“It’s hard to take over the 90,” said Evans. “I think for 40 minutes we were in total command of the game and other than some good goalkeeping and a few lucky breaks for them, in their favour, it kept the score at 1-0.

“I thought we dominated (the first half). We were authoritative, we passed it well, opened them up, we could have had three or four in that opening half, but we didn’t. We knew a second goal would kill them, but we didn't get it.

“Young Daniel Adshead gets caught with a short pass back [which goalkeeper Jamie Cumming just managed to deal with] and that got the crowd up a bit (at the end of the first half). It gave their boys a bit of hope, because I think up until then they had no chance.

“They are always going to put you under pressure when they have Cosgrove upstairs. They talked pre-match about us being long-ball, I think we have played all the football on the day, they just launched it to big Sam.”

Shrewsbury’s equaliser came just before the hour mark with a stunning overhead kick from their 17-year-old Tom Bloxham. Cosgrove then scored the second 10 minutes later.

“The first goal is a clear foul on Jack Tucker,” said Evans. “It was a clear foul but a great finish. Those are special finishes when they go in, but I think then we were off the game.

“The second goal is a mistake from Kyle (Dempsey). He put his hands up in the dressing room, he is an honest kid.

“We then had to make a change and try and go all out, we should have had a point, Danny Lloyd misses the sitter of the season so far, he didn’t mean to miss it and he gave us some real energy, so we will go back on the training ground and work hard.

“We will be more than fine, we should be winning (that game), simple.

“You had two really competitive teams out there, us and Shrewsbury, I think the season will show we are better than them but the proof is in the pudding and we will see that come May.”

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