JOHN Coleman admitted missing out on all three points against Shrewsbury was a sickener after the 1-1 draw saw Accrington drop out of League One’s top six.

Seamus Conneely volleyed Stanley in front in the 47th minute before ex-Reds winger Shaun Whalley steered the ball home from close range from a corner from Blackburn Rovers loanee Harry Chapman 13 minutes from time.

“It was sickening to take to be honest,” said Coleman.

“I feel like I have been punched as we were so close to three points and our players worked ever so hard.

“There were a lot of battling performances out there, we defended magnificently but it’s annoying we didn’t win.

“There is still a long way to go this season but, since we put six past Bristol Rovers four games ago, we have failed to capitalise on playing at home.”

The visitors had the best early chance when Josh Vela’s fierce strike had to be pushed out by Stanley keeper Nathan Baxter.

Coleman’s side did not test Shrews keeper Matija Sarkic before the break with both Cameron Burgess and Paul Smyth having close-range efforts blocked by the visiting defence.

The Reds were more threatening in the second half and went ahead in the 47th minute when a Matt Butcher free-kick into the box could only be punched by Sarkic. The Shrews failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Conneely on the edge of the area and he volleyed home his first goal in a year.

Shrewsbury equalised on 77 minutes when Chapman’s corner was flicked on by David Edwards at the near post and Whalley was in the six-yard box to steer the ball over the line.

“It was difficult in the first half as we couldn’t control the ball with the wind and neither side had many chances,” said Coleman. “The wind and the pitch made it impossible for either side to play a passing game.

“Then we scored a great goal which we thought was enough to win it.

“I didn’t think they had a goal in them. Our keeper hasn’t had anything to do in the second half and it’s not a great corner, their only corner of the half, and we have strength and height and it comes across the floor and we didn’t deal with it.”