2004 Football Conference play-off final

Aldershot had the first real chance of the game when Roscoe Dsane got on the end of a ball over the top of the defence and held off Shrews captain Darren Tinson, only to drag his shot wide. Jon Challinor then had a chance but failed to connect properly with Aaron McLean's cutback. At the other end it took a crucial intervention from Dominic Sterling to deny Jamie Tolley after a good surging run from the midfielder.{{cite web|title=Time Tunnel: Play-Off Final May 16th 2004|url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/time-tunnel-play-off-final-may-16th-2004/|publisher=Aldershot Town F.C.|date=16 May 2020|access-date=21 February 2024}}

Aldershot took the lead in the 36th minute when Shots captain Ray Warburton headed on a free kick and McLean powered the ball into the net. However Shrewsbury were level just minutes later, with Duane Darby smashing in an almost identical goal. In the second half the Shropshire side should have taken the lead when Luke Rodgers crossed for Ryan Lowe, who blazed over from inside the area.

With the scores level at 1–1, silver goal extra time was required, and Lee Charles had a couple of chances to win it for the Shots. Ultimately the match needed a penalty shoot-out to be settled. After Rodgers had missed Shrewsbury's first kick, goalkeeper Scott Howie was the hero, saving all three of Aldershot's penalties while teammates Tolley, Jake Sedgemore and finally Trevor Challis scored theirs to send Shrewsbury back into the Football League.{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury back after year out|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30147877.html|work=Irish Examiner|date=16 May 2004|access-date=21 February 2024}}

{{football box

|date=16 May 2004

|time=13:00 BST

|team1=Aldershot Town

|score=1–1

|aet=yes

|report=[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/3713971.stm Report]

|team2=Shrewsbury Town

|goals1=McLean {{goal|35}}

|goals2=Darby {{goal|43}}

|stadium=Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent

|attendance=19,216

|referee=Keith Stroud (Hampshire)

|penalties1=Sills {{penmiss}}
Giles {{penmiss}}
Gosling {{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=0–3

|penalties2={{penmiss}} Rodgers
{{pengoal}} Tolley
{{pengoal}} Sedgemore
{{pengoal}} Challis }}

|

|valign="top" width="50%"|

|}

{{reflist}}

{{2003–04 in English football}}

{{Conference National Playoff Finals}}

{{Aldershot Town F.C.}}

{{Shrewsbury Town F.C. matches}}

Play-off Final 2004

Play-off Final 2004

Play-off Final 2004

2004

Football Conference Play-off Final 2004

Football Conference play-off final