Matty Virtue’s second-half strike helped see City to a winning ending for the 2022/23 campaign.

Shrewsbury enjoyed the better chances in the early stages and Luke Leahy almost put his side in front after seven minutes when a corner dropped for him to strike a powerful effort off the outside of the post.

Moments later Carl Rushworth was called into action as Elliott Bennett’s corner towards the back post was headed down by Chey Dunkley and superbly kept out by the City stopper.

The next chance of the game arrived in the 19th minute after Taylor Moore’s cross in from the right was struck well over the crossbar by Ryan Bowman.

Both sides struggled to create many chances as they continued to battle it out for a foothold in the game, and went into the break goalless.

Salop went close to breaking the deadlock shortly after the break as Moore’s floated ball in from the right was headed goalwards and parried up onto the crossbar by Rushworth.

Steve Cotterill’s side looked to mount some pressure following this and were denied again by Rushworth as Rob Street slipped Jordan Shipley in whose driven effort went straight at the goalie.

Regan Poole was next up to frustrate the visitors as Shipley latched onto Sean Roughan’s poor clearance before firing against the legs of the Welshman who came across with a last ditch tackle.

The Imps almost went ahead in the 71st minute as a failed clearance from Regan Poole’s initial shot dropped for Matty Virtue whose fierce volley forced a fine save from Marosi.

Virtue did put his side ahead just two minutes later when Roughan’s long throw from the left wasn’t dealt with by Shrewsbury, leaving the midfielder to hammer home into the bottom corner.

City’s opener lifted the home crowd who almost spurred the side onto a second as Lasse Sorensen squared the ball to Ben House in the box who was denied by a goalline clearance from Moore.

House had another chance in the 85th minute when Harry Boyes’ cross from the left fell to the frontman but he was unable to squeeze his first-time effort into the far corner.

House continued to be involved in the closing stages and won his side a penalty as he was brought down by Chey Dunkley who received a straight red card.

Max Sanders stepped up for the spot kick but saw it saved by a strong hand from Marosi who got down well to his left to push it around the outside of the post.

City: Carl Rushworth, Regan Poole ©, Harry Boyes, Adam Jackson (Sean Roughan 46’), Mide Shodipo (Max Sanders 57’), Ethan Erhahon, Paudie O’Connor, Ben House, Lasse Sorensen, Matty Virtue, Dylan Duffy (Jovon Makama 67’). Subs (not used): Sam Long, Luke Plange, TJ Eyoma, Oisin Gallagher.

Goals: Virtue (73’).

Shrewsbury: Marko Marosi, Luke Leahy ©, Taylor Moore, Carl Winchester, Killian Phillips, Ryan Bowman (Tom Bloxham 82’), Rob Street (Christian Saydee 86’), Elliott Bennett (Rekeil Pyke 82’), Chey Dunkley, Jordan Shipley, Tom Flanagan. Subs (not used): Harry Burgoyne, Kade Craig, Josh Barlow.

Attendance: 9,124 (617 away).

Referee: Andy Haines.