FA Cup: Wolves produce another enthralling comeback to break Shrewsbury hearts all over again

Wolves 3-2 Shrewsbury: The League One side, who had led 2-0 at home before Wolves staged a late fightback to earn a replay, improbably led the replay 2-1 before they were finally thwarted

Wolves will face Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round (PA)

Ivan Cavaleiro’s magnificent but controversial winner eventually booked Wolves’ place in the fifth round of the FA Cup and proved a knockout blow to Shrewsbury Town who, for much of a captivating tie, would not stay on the canvas.

The League One side, who had led 2-0 at home before Wolves staged a late fightback to earn a replay, improbably led the replay 2-1 before they were finally thwarted by a Premier League side now dreaming of glory.

Former Wolves captain Sam Ricketts, now Shrewsbury’s manager, was left fuming, first by the award of six minutes of first-half stoppage time that allowed Matt Doherty to level at 2-2 for Wolves, and then by the decision to allow Cavaleiro’s classy winner despite an alleged foul.

Yet the former Wales defender could be nothing but proud of his League One side, who fought back from an early Matt Doherty goal to claim the lead.

Matt Doherty celebrates putting Wolves in front (PA)

Doherty’s second goal on the night and third on the tie deflated Ricketts’ men, who were finally beaten by Cavaleiro’s second-half moment of brilliance.

It took just 78 seconds for Wolves to do what they took 75 minutes to do in the original meeting.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s initial corner was cleared back to the Wolves youngster, who delivered a dangerous second cross into the penalty area.

It was brought down by Willy Boly to the feet of Doherty, who spun and blasted a right-footed shot past a helpless Steve Arnold to add to his crucial equaliser deep in stoppage-time in the original game between the sides in Shropshire.

James Bolton equalises for Shrewsbury (AFP/Getty Images)

Yet having struggled for any early possession, the Shrews broke on 11 minutes and won the corner from which they grabbed a surprise equaliser.

Wolves failed dismally to keep tabs on Bolton, who rose six yards out to power home a header from Greg Docherty’s flag-kick.

The goal left the hosts rattled and it took them a further 12 minutes to fashion another effort on goal.

When they did, though, it would have brought a goal had Luke Waterfall not pulled off a crucial block.

He was in the right place to stop a crisp shot from Jonny Castro Otto, who had met a cross by Doherty with a sweet, first-time half-volley.

Josh Laurent celebrates scoring his side's second goal (PA)

Another excellent chance came and went for the hosts when Boly stooped to meet a Gibbs-White corner but headed wide.

And moments later the visitors had to scramble clear another flag kick desperately as Wolves maintained the pressure on their goal.

Yet six minutes before the interval Shrewsbury claimed a shock lead courtesy of a horrible error by Ruddy.

Laurent cut in from the left and let fly with a right-footed shot from 25 yards, Ruddy got down to stop it but allowed the ball to bounce off him and spin over the line.

Home supporters were stunned as Ruddy booted the frame of his goal in frustration and Shrewsbury fans celebrated, while Laurent appeared uncertain of how to respond to such an unlikely success.

Wolves began the second half with a virtual monopoly on possession, but with little to show for it.

Ivan Cavaleiro celebrates with fans after scoring the winner (AFP/Getty Images)

Their probing came to nothing until the 62nd minute, when a controversial but magnificent goal by Cavaleiro restored the home side’s lead.

He held off Omar Beckles to collect a pass from Doherty before weaving around a series of challenges on the edge of the penalty area and completing a sublime run with a cool finish under Arnold.

That goal appeared to break the spirit of Ricketts’ men, although they did try their luck through substitute Shaun Whalley, who dragged a 25-yard shot narrowly wide.

Wolves appeared more likely to add to their tally with Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez, two Premier League regulars, stepping off the bench to add to the minnows’ worries.

Jimenez almost added a goal when he cut between two defenders and saw his left-footed shot saved low down by Arnold.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-4-3): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Gibbs-White, Saiss, Castro-Otto; Traore (Jimenez, 77), I Cavaleiro (Ennis, 88), H Costa (Moutinho, 69). Substitutes not used: Norris, Neves, Giles, Dendoncker.

Shrewsbury Town (3-4-3): Arnold; Vincelot (Sears, 38), Waterfall, Beckles - Bolton, Norburn, Gilliead (Whalley, 66), Haynes; Docherty, Okenabirhie (Amadi-Holloway, 79), Laurent. Substitutes not used: Edwards, Charles-Cook, Rowland, Ward. Booked: Norburn.

Referee: L Probert

Attendance: 28,844