Express & Star

Shrewsbury Town 1 West Brom 2

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First-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Youssouf Mulumbu earned West Brom a 2-1 win at League Two side Shrewsbury.

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Striker Kemar Roofe was first to test Town goalkeeper Mark Halstead's reflexes with a long range effort, which the former Blackpool man parried over.

But the home shot-stopper could do nothing to prevent Anichebe from opening the scoring 12 minutes in, from Stephane Sessegnon's well-aimed cut back.

Town endured a few scares in the ensuing 18 minutes as West Brom dominated possession, but they drew level in clinical fashion from Scott Vernon's close range finish on the half hour.

Boyhood Baggies fan Ashley Vincent showed plenty of pace down the left, before clipping in a killer cross to the six yard box, which Vernon finished coolly.

The visitors went back in front just three minutes later, though, when Mulumbu slotted home after good work from Anichebe and Sessegnon.

And Saido Berahino probably should have made it 3-1, when he headed Sebastien Pocognoli's curling left-wing cross over from an unmarked position in the box late in the first-half.

Both sides made several changes at half time and substitute Graham Dorrans almost increased the visitors' lead with a low drive, which missed the target, on 55 minutes.

But Vincent could have levelled soon afterwards, only to prod his shot straight at goalkeeper Luke Daniels from close range, after good work from James Collins.

Town's substitute goalkeeper Callum Burton did well to deny Berahino midway through the half, with Jermaine Grandison then on hand to prevent the same player netting at the back post.

In the end, West Brom's extra quality showed and Alan Irvine's side will have taken plenty from a decent workout, against determined opponents.