BRYAN Hughes came off the bench to earn Accrington Stanley a point against promotion-chasing Shrewsbury Town this afternoon.

Former Stanley striker Terry Gornell had put Stanley ahead in the 31st minute but Hughes found the net from 25 yards to level the match with 12 minutes left.

Padraig Amond saw an overhead kick saved by Chris Neal shortly before the visitors took the lead as Gornell swivelled and found the net from 12 yards.

Amond was again denied by Neal, who then kept out Charlie Barnett’s effort after the midfielder had been played in by an error from Shrewsbury defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.

But Ian Dunbavin then had to make a fine save to tip Aaron Wildig’s 25-yard effort on to the crossbar, before Luke Joyce collected Kevin McIntyre’s cross and diverted a shot on to the bar for Stanley.

Amond saw two more shots saved after the interval, before Shrewsbury keeper Neal denied Jamie Devitt in an impressive performance.

Amond was thwarted by the keeper yet again after being played in by Barnett, but Stanley did finally get their equaliser as substitute Hughes collected the ball 25 yards out and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

Stanley: Ian Dunbavin; Craig Lindfield, Toto Nsiala, Peter Murphy, Kevin McIntyre; Luke Joyce, Michael Liddle (Kurtis Guthrie 87); Charlie Barnett, Will Hatfield (Micah Evans 64), Jamie Devitt (Bryan Hughes 68); Padraig Amond. Subs not used: Lee Nicholls, Ryan Hopper.

Shrewsbury: Chris Neal; Jermaine Grandison, Ian Sharps, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Joe Jacobson; Aaron Wildig, Nicky Wroe, Matt Richards, Mark Wright (Jon Taylor 81); James Collins (Marvin Morgan 68), Terry Gornell. Subs not used: Ben Smith, Sean McAllister, Conor McLaughlin.

Referee: Carl Boyeson.

Attendance: 3,275.