Crewe make it through with a 2-1 win.
Shropshire Star
Shrewsbury Town's Johnstone's Paint Trophy adventure is over for another season after a second round northern section home defeat to League One rivals Crewe.
The visitors were the superior side in the opening period and took a deserved ninth minute lead when a Mathias Pogba shot was saved by debutant Joe Anyon and Luke Murphy calmly slotted home the rebound.
Anyon then left the field with an injury and his replacement Chris Weale was forced into a fine save when he finger-tipped a long range effort from Murphy on to the bar.
Shrewsbury's best chance of getting back on level terms fell to Darren Jones who volleyed over from six yards from a Mark Wright free-kick.
Crewe doubled their advantage 12 minutes after the break when a long clearance from goalkeeper Alan Martin wasn't dealt with and Pogba fed Max Clayton who finished from 12 yards.
But Shrewsbury had a lifeline four minutes later when a 25-yard shot from substitute Asa Hall slipped through the grasp of Martin and into the net.
Town rallied with Hall having two further long-range efforts - one of which was saved while one went just over - and Jon Taylor saw an effort stopped by the legs Martin.
But it wasn't enough to save Shrewsbury's JPT campaign.
The Crewe Chronicle
GOALS from Luke Murphy and Max Clayton booked Crewe Alex’s place in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Area Quarter Finals on Tuesday night.
The homegrown duo struck either side of half-time to seal an impressive victory at Shrewsbury Town.
The success has taken them a step closer to a return to the scene of their most recent triumph – Wembley Stadium.
The Sentinel
CREWE manager Steve Davis was all smiles after exciting young striker Max Clayton made a welcome return to the scoresheet to seal an impressive 2-1 victory at Shrewsbury in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Clayton, aged 18, had gone seven games without a goal, but he confidently drilled home what proved to be the winner at the New Meadow to settle an entertaining second-round tie.
Crewe were already leading thanks to a goal from classy skipper Luke Murphy when Clayton applied the finishing touch to a fine run from Mathias Pogba to double the Railwaymen's advantage 12 minutes into the second half.
An horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Alan Martin quickly allowed Shrewsbury sub Asa Hall to cut the arrears, but Crewe held firm to move a step closer to a potential Wembley appearance in the lower league knockout.