Peterborough 3-1 Shrewsbury: John Marquis 13-second red card equals record

Shrewsbury Town forward John Marquis was sent off just 13 seconds into their League One match against Peterborough United, a game they ultimately lost 1-3. This red card ties the record for the fastest red card in English professional football.

The Shrewsbury Town captain's dismissal equals the record previously set by former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Kevin Pressman in 2000 for a handball outside the box. Marquis etched his name in the record books for less glorious reasons, elbowing Peterborough United's former Chester and Leicester defender Sam Hughes in a challenge, prompting referee Martin Woods to issue a straight red card.

Shrewsbury Town manager Matt Taylor defended his captain after the match. He told BBC Radio Shropshire: "I don't think it's a sending off. John's devastated in the dressing room to be sent off. He's just trying to use his arm to keep the centre-half away, not to lead with his arm."

Taylor continued: "There's a difference. You've got to use common sense and think 'it's a bit high, give a yellow'. Not a straight red. All the fans are screaming, the bench is screaming, it's difficult for the referee but come on." Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson added: "It's the first time for everyone that the first tackle is a sending off. John's gone to challenge, the referee's made a quick decision."

Theo Edun broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, scoring directly from an inswinging corner. Six minutes later, Mal Benning equalised from the penalty spot after Shrewsbury Town's George Lloyd was brought down in the box. Ten minutes before half-time, Malik Mothersille restored the home side's lead, tapping in after a cross from Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Morgan Feeney cleared Jonson Clarke-Harris's shot off the line in the 60th minute to keep Shrewsbury Town in the game, while Steer saved from substitute Jordan Shipley. But in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Chris Conn-Clarke scored his first goal for Peterborough United after a backheel from Clarke-Harris, securing a crucial three points in this relegation battle and moving Ferguson's side four points clear of the drop zone.

Ferguson said: "It's a massive win for us. It was the most important game of the week, we've managed to win it. It caps off a good week. We made hard work of it. We missed far too many chances. But we deserved to win. We just didn't kill the game off as quick as everyone would have liked. They made us nervous and edgy with the way they defended."

Shrewsbury Town dropped to the bottom of the table, and with 12 games left, are now eight points adrift of safety. Taylor felt that a number of decisions went against his side and "dictated the game". He said: "Just before they get the corner, the ball's clearly out of play. I don't think the linesman's seen it quick enough. It's gone against us."

Taylor continued: "We still could have had two penalties after we get one. George Lloyd's clearly fouled when he's through, it's a penalty. It's not even a corner, the ref's given us a corner. It's either a goal kick or a penalty. It's just going against us. But again I'm immensely proud of the fans' never-ending support for the players on the pitch."