Anthony Scully’s first-half brace saw Shrewsbury Town avoid a first-round cupset in a 3-1 away win at South Shields in the 2025-26 FA Cup.
Scully fired Shrewsbury ahead through a 23rd-minute penalty after substitute, Mal Benning had been shoved to ground by Caden Kelly.
The 26 year-old doubled their lead with a 33rd-minute close-range finish before Tom Sang effectively wrapped up victory with his 44th-minute rebound strike.
Shrewsbury however were denied a clean sheet as Luke Woolston curled a 67th-minute strike into the top-right corner, albeit via a deflection.
Shrewsbury will now discover their second-round opposition in the draw on Monday 2 November at 6:45pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, where they will be ball number 37 in the pot.
Despite 27 places having separated South Shields and Shrewsbury coming into this tie, it was the National League North side who began brightest as Cedwyn fired a third-minute shot wide of the left corner, before Oli Bainbridge forced a save from Will Brook just two minutes later.
Shrewsbury lost Sam Clucas to injury in the 13th minute but his replacement, Benning proved key to their first goal as he forced a shove from Kelly as he met a 22nd-minute cross into box.
Scully consequently stepped up a minute later and dispatched the Shrews’ penalty into the bottom-left corner to leave the sixth-tier hosts facing an uphill battle.
Those hopes were dealt a further blow in the 33rd minute as a neat piece of passing play from left to right flanks fell for John Marquis, and the 33-year-old played a cross which Scully poked in from close range to double their lead.
Shrewsbury are currently battling for EFL survival in League Two but arrived on Tyneside unbeaten in four games prior to kick-off, and their class again showed in the 44th minute as Jasper Sheik denied Scully a hat-trick only for Sang to put his rebound shot away to extend their lead at half time.
Michael Appleton’s Shrews continued to control proceedings in the second half as they invited pressure from South Shields with resilient defending, until Woolston picked up a cutback pass and curled into the top-right corner to reduce the hosts’ deficit in the 67th minute.
Shrewsbury however managed to prevent any further threat of a South Shields comeback as they protected their lead to the final whistle.
What’s Next?
South Shields return their focus to National League North action on Wednesday 5 November as they visit AFC Fylde at 7:45pm GMT, in a blockbuster clash between the league’s top two teams.
Shrewsbury will refocus on their fight for League Two survival on 8 November as they visit Crewe Alexandra in a 12:30pm kick-off.
Teams
South Shields: Jasper Sheik, Cain Sykes, Dillon Morse, Robbie Tinkler (, Oli Bainbridge, Will Jenkins (Savage 90′), Luke Woolston (Alcock 81′), Cedwyn Scott, Daniel Dodds (Ward 61′), Paul Blackett (Carson 46′), Caden Kelly (McGurk 61′)
Substitutes: Sean McGurk, Dan Ward, Ethan Mann, Todd Alcock, Ewan McGowan, Dan Savage, David Carson
Shrewsbury: Will Brook, Tom Anderson, Sam Stubbs, Will Boyle, Ismeal Kabia, Tom Sang (Perry 46′), Josh Ruffels (Biggins 81′), Sam Clucas (Benning 13′), Tommy McDermott, John Marquis (Lloyd 61′), Anthony Scully (Hoole 61′)
Substitutes: Chuks Aneke, Mal Benning, Harrison Biggins, Isaac England, Will Gray, Elyh Harrison, Luca Hoole, George Lloyd, Taylor Perry
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