Anthony Scully makes the difference as Shrewsbury see off South Shields

League Two strugglers Shrewsbury avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin by producing a ruthless first-half display in their first round tie at South Shields.

Anthony Scully’s double and Tom Sang’s second goal of the season saw off the in-form National League North promotion contenders at a packed 1st Cloud Arena.

It was only the sixth win in all competitions since Town manager Michael Appleton took charge, and the third in four games, as the 49-year-old looks to revive the Shrews.

Only 27 places separate the clubs in the English football structure, with Shields, who had come through three qualifying ties, starting the contest brightly with Cedwyn Scott and Oliver Bainbridge going agonisingly close early on.

Shrewsbury went in front from the spot midway through the half after referee Thomas Parsons adjudged Caden Kelly had fouled sub Mal Benning. Scully drove his penalty hard into Jasper Sheik’s right corner.

Scully doubled the lead from six yards 11 minutes later when he was teed up by John Marquis and it was 3-0 a minute before the break when Sang fired in the rebound after Sheik had thwarted Scully.

Luke Woolston gave the home fans some cheer on 67 minutes when his deflected long-range shot looped over Shrews goalkeeper Will Brook.